Readings for today: Exodus 2:11-3:22, Matthew 17:10-27, Psalms 22:1-18, Proverbs 5:7-14
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalms 22:1)
Many will recognize these words as the ones Jesus utters while hanging on the cross. It is the cry of dereliction. The Son of God actually becoming sin for us. Taking on all the collective guilt of the human race - past, present, and future. In that moment, the Father turns His face away from His Son. The Spirit is withdrawn. The Son hangs alone. Abandoned. Forsaken. He literally is in hell.
What many don’t realize is Jesus is quoting Psalm 22. A common practice among God’s people for centuries. Whenever we do not have the words to express our pain, we turn to the Psalms. There we find the words we do not have and we pray with the saints who have gone before us. Jesus takes up this time-honored practice in His own suffering. In His moment of greatest agony and despair, these words are wrenched from the depths of His soul. Why have you forsaken me? I cry out by day but you do not answer me. I am scorned by man and despised by the people. I am poured out like water and my bones are out of joint. Though the Gospel writers only place the first words of Psalm 22 on the lips of Jesus, it is highly likely Jesus recited this whole Psalm as He died. For it is not simply a Psalm of lament but a Psalm of hope as well! “O Lord, my help, come quickly to my aid...Deliver my soul from the sword...Save me from the mouth of the lion...For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him...All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.” (Psalms 22:19-21, 24, 27) Yes, even in His darkest moment, Jesus placed His trust in His Heavenly Father.
What about us? The language of Psalm 22 authorizes deep lament. It honors our grief. It gives voice to our pain. God is not afraid of our suffering. God does not turn His back on us when we hurt. He wants us to bring all our heartaches and heartbreaks before Him. Lay them at His feet. Share with Him our deepest fears and darkest doubts. He does not shy away from our cries of dereliction. Instead, He meets us there. He waits for us at rock bottom. When our strength finally fails and our hope is gone. In the darkest moments of our lives, God is with us.
Readings for tomorrow: Exodus 4-5:21, Matthew 18:1-20, Psalm 22:19-31, Proverbs 5:15-21