“My God,

Why Have You Forsaken Me?”

And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The king of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two bandits, one on this right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

Mark 15:24-38

Consider the people who passed by the Savior as He hung on the cross. They probably fell within one of three groups, which many people do today. There are those who want a cross without Christ. Some may clasp a tiny cross in their hand. It is not the cross, but Christ who saves. There are those who want a Christ without a cross. They want a conqueror, not a dying lamb. Their gospel is one of works. They despise the gospel that declares we are justified by faith in the One who shed His blood on the cross. And there are those who want neither Christ nor His cross. They are untouched by His sorrow, unmoved by His suffering, and unrepentant of their sins that He bore.

Jesus took our place

that we might have His peace.

Our Daily Bread – April 15, 2005