The Cross And The Forsaken Saviour

"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46.

Have you ever experienced the agony of having someone whom you trusted fail you in your hours of need? Have you been forsaken by the ones who promised to be there for you? Indeed everyone has experienced abandonment at one time or another. Maybe you’re going through it now. Rejection fuels bitterness. It kills faith, love, hope, and dreams. And regardless of who you are, you'll deal with desertion from time to time. So, you must decide on how you're going to react.

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.

Today, God still speaks to us but through His Word. The Word of God never changes. It is always true and reliable. The Bible says that God always keeps His promises. God is trustworthy! So when you are facing times of discouragement and desertion, go to God and His Word. Read and meditate on the Scriptures. Psalm 119:105. Acquaint yourself with His promises. Spend regular time in His presence. Pray always. Tell the Lord how you feel. He longs to spend time with you and to heal your deepest pains. Give Him your burdens, worries and cares. Psalm 55:22. Let the Lord be your strength. Let Him be the source of your joy! Give thanks in all things. No matter what you are going through, you can find something to be thankful for. Look for ways to give thanks always. Do not harbour bitterness. Practise forgiveness. It is the key to peace of mind. Matthew 6:14-15. Watch what you lean on. Adjust your expectations. It's the major reason for disappointment. Put your trust in God alone. Refuse to live in the past; move forward. God is with you where ever you go. Be courageous! He has promised not to ever forsake you. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Wait on the Lord.

"Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me!" Psalm 38:21.

Have you ever felt forsaken by God? Do you ever doubt His faithfulness during times of difficulties? Have you ever sat in the silence of the night, and asked that heartbreaking question, “Where are you, Lord?" Maybe you even felt as though your prayers were not heard and God had given up on you. You’ve put your trust in Him, and He let you down.

Turn to the Bible for comfort. Pour out all that is in your heart. Tell the Lord how you feel. Keep your focus on Him. Trust He is in control even when you don't know what He's doing. You're not forsaken! God cares about you. Even when you don’t see and feel His presence, you can trust that He's always with you. He is right beside you as you read this sermon.

THE FORSAKEN SAVIOUR:

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not." Isaiah 53:3.

Over and over again in the Bible, God promises to never forsake His people. He promises to be with us at all times, in all places and circumstances. Yet Jesus experienced the pain of abandonment. He came to His own, but they rejected Him. Even in suffering, God was silent to the cry of His Son. The Savior was forsaken. Jesus was left helpless, abandoned, and deserted. Since God is holy and can have nothing to do with sin, He separated Himself from His Son as He hung on the cross. The Father turned His back and rejected His Only-begotten Son. Not because He doesn't love Him. God turned away because Jesus was carrying the sin of the world on His shoulder. 1 Peter 2:24. All the sins of the world were placed on His shoulders. He became sin for us to be saved. 2 Corinthians 5:21. Jesus took our sins upon Himself. All of it was “laid on him.” Isaiah 53:6. He was deserted by God so that we might be accepted. For a moment, the communication that the Son enjoyed with His Father was disconnected because of us. He was deserted so that we might never be abandoned. He was forsaken so that we will never walk alone. Jesus was forsaken for a moment so that we could be free for eternity. Because of what happened that day, nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:39. Without the Cross, there would be no forgiveness and redemption. Without the crucifixion, we would be separate from God forever.