“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”(Matthew 27:46)

We don’t often hear the word “forsaken” these days; its equivalent might be “abandoned” or “left behind”. I wonder what this word would conjure in your mind. What does it actually mean to be forsaken? What was the impetus behind this cry from the cross? Was it a cry borne out of anger and rage, despondency and despair?

“Where is God when it hurts?”; “How can God allow such a disaster?” Often, people will quickly point to calamities as the basis for their unbelief in God. Well, here is Christ on the cross, suffering injustice and enduring excruciating pains, forsaken by friends and taunted by enemies. Still He calls upon God as “my God”. Even in such a traumatic death, the Lord Jesus trusted in His God. Have you considered that calamities should teach us dependence on God?

We live in a fallen world where sin (falling short of God’s holy standards) is rampant. Like an unstoppable warhead, it pierces through all social strata. Don’t just think of corruption. Sin has led to broken families and abusive relationships.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

By nature, we are inclined towards doing wrong; as we grow up, we find sin attractive and thrilling. The problem is that sin separates us from a meaningful and peaceful relationship with God.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

The Lord Jesus came to provide salvation from sin. He was on the cross for people like us, forsaken so that we can be forgiven, condemned so that we might live a new and meaningful life.