Pedro Orrente (Spanish, Murcia 1580–1645 Valencia) Date: ca. 1625–30 www.metmuseum.org Public Domain
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. Matthew 27:45-50
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani!”, Jesus cried from the cross shortly before he died. And for this, he was mocked. Those who heard him said that he was crying out to Elijah. They mocked him and told the person trying to quench Jesus’ thirst to wait and see if Elijah would come to save him.
They mocked Jesus. But, as it often is with those who mock, they proved themselves to be fools. Jesus was not calling Elijah. Rather, he was calling out to his heavenly Father. They thought Jesus was crying out to Elijah, because the word for “My God” in the Hebrew language and the name “Elijah” sound similar. Yet, had these scoffers known their Scriptures they also would have recognized that Jesus was quoting the first line of Psalm 22. A Psalm written by King David in the Spirit to prophesy of the Christ. In this very Psalm, David predicted the manner in which Christ would die, saying,
“I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet[b]--
17 I can count all my bones--
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
By quoting this Psalm, Jesus confesses that David was prophesying about him. This is Jesus’ Psalm. The details are undeniable. Psalm 22 even includes the fact that Jesus will be mocked as he suffers.
“All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
‘He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!’”
As the Psalmist predicted, Jesus’ enemies think that Jesus has lost. Moreover, they think that Jesus has lost faith. He cries out to Elijah for help. He thinks God has forsaken him. He finally has realized the error of his ways. They think these thoughts, because they are ignorant of God’s will. They have not listened to the Scriptures. Psalm 22 concludes with the Psalmist’s confidence that God will save him and that he will declare God’s salvation in the midst of God’s congregation, even to coming generations. Jesus did not deny his faith in God when he cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Rather, by quoting Psalm 22, Jesus confessed his faith that the Scriptures were being fulfilled in him.
Just as Scripture predicted that Jesus would suffer and die for the sins of the people, so also Scripture predicted that there would be those, who would ignore, scoff at, and reject this message. Isaiah chapter 53 begins, “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Yet, this same chapter, which predicts the unbelief of many people also gives some of the clearest articulations of the Gospel you’ll find anywhere.
“Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)
Jesus knew perfectly well that he was suffering for the transgressions of his people; that we benefit from his suffering. And this truth is made clear to anyone who will listen to what the Scriptures say. Jesus suffered for us willingly; yet, his words from the cross show us that this was real, not phony suffering.
Those who will not listen to Jesus mock. Those who will listen to Jesus know that he suffered for our sake. In John chapter 10, Christ says, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I receive from my Father.” (verses 17-18) Whoever will listen and believe Jesus’ words knows that Jesus goes to the cross willingly; that this was all part of his plan; that he went to the cross for us.
As the world hated Christ, so does it hate his followers. As Jesus bore his cross, so his followers bear much smaller crosses in this life. We who follow Christ are mocked for our faith. We are mocked for trusting in a man, who died. We are mocked for believing that he rose from the dead. And we are mocked for thinking that God hears and answers our prayers. And, as it was with Jesus, it seems that God is silent to our prayers; that he is ignoring us.
Yet, it is those who do not know and will not listen to the promises of Scripture, who mock. And it is those who let the deafening silence distract them from the Scriptures, who think that God does not hear or answer our prayers. Yes, God lets us wait. He tests our patience. But God promises that he will give us all that we need through Jesus Christ.
Many of us are cooped up at home. We’re worried about the health of our loved ones. We’re worried about the security of our jobs and the livelihood of those, who are forced to stop working during this pandemic. The greatest cause of fear gripping our nation right now is the unknown. We don’t know how long this crisis will last. We will don’t know how long we will have to practice “social distancing.” We aren’t sure when we’ll be able to worship together at church without worrying about too many people in one place. The unknown stokes fear.
Yet, through the promises of Scripture we do know. At least we know what need to know most. We know that God promises to feed us even as he feeds the birds of the air. He promises to provide for our daily bread, even as he does for those who hate him and scoff at him. God knows how all of this will end. He knows how it will go for us. And he is our loving, heavenly Father. We can trust in him!
And much more, God promises that whoever believes on Jesus Christ, who bore all our sins on the cross, will have everlasting life. Yes, this coronavirus will kill some. But, you know, eventually we’re all going to die, unless Christ returns first. We will all stand before God on the Day of Judgment. Yet, Jesus promises that whoever believes in him will not come into judgment, but will pass from death to life (John 5:24).
Those who don’t know mock. They mock Jesus. They mock us, who trust in him. But we trust in him, who knows all things. And what he who knows all things and made known to us our salvation through his Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. Matthew 27:45-50
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani!”, Jesus cried from the cross shortly before he died. And for this, he was mocked. Those who heard him said that he was crying out to Elijah. They mocked him and told the person trying to quench Jesus’ thirst to wait and see if Elijah would come to save him.
They mocked Jesus. But, as it often is with those who mock, they proved themselves to be fools. Jesus was not calling Elijah. Rather, he was calling out to his heavenly Father. They thought Jesus was crying out to Elijah, because the word for “My God” in the Hebrew language and the name “Elijah” sound similar. Yet, had these scoffers known their Scriptures they also would have recognized that Jesus was quoting the first line of Psalm 22. A Psalm written by King David in the Spirit to prophesy of the Christ. In this very Psalm, David predicted the manner in which Christ would die, saying,
“I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet[b]--
17 I can count all my bones--
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
By quoting this Psalm, Jesus confesses that David was prophesying about him. This is Jesus’ Psalm. The details are undeniable. Psalm 22 even includes the fact that Jesus will be mocked as he suffers.
“All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
‘He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!’”
As the Psalmist predicted, Jesus’ enemies think that Jesus has lost. Moreover, they think that Jesus has lost faith. He cries out to Elijah for help. He thinks God has forsaken him. He finally has realized the error of his ways. They think these thoughts, because they are ignorant of God’s will. They have not listened to the Scriptures. Psalm 22 concludes with the Psalmist’s confidence that God will save him and that he will declare God’s salvation in the midst of God’s congregation, even to coming generations. Jesus did not deny his faith in God when he cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Rather, by quoting Psalm 22, Jesus confessed his faith that the Scriptures were being fulfilled in him.
Just as Scripture predicted that Jesus would suffer and die for the sins of the people, so also Scripture predicted that there would be those, who would ignore, scoff at, and reject this message. Isaiah chapter 53 begins, “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Yet, this same chapter, which predicts the unbelief of many people also gives some of the clearest articulations of the Gospel you’ll find anywhere.
“Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)
Jesus knew perfectly well that he was suffering for the transgressions of his people; that we benefit from his suffering. And this truth is made clear to anyone who will listen to what the Scriptures say. Jesus suffered for us willingly; yet, his words from the cross show us that this was real, not phony suffering.
Those who will not listen to Jesus mock. Those who will listen to Jesus know that he suffered for our sake. In John chapter 10, Christ says, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I receive from my Father.” (verses 17-18) Whoever will listen and believe Jesus’ words knows that Jesus goes to the cross willingly; that this was all part of his plan; that he went to the cross for us.
As the world hated Christ, so does it hate his followers. As Jesus bore his cross, so his followers bear much smaller crosses in this life. We who follow Christ are mocked for our faith. We are mocked for trusting in a man, who died. We are mocked for believing that he rose from the dead. And we are mocked for thinking that God hears and answers our prayers. And, as it was with Jesus, it seems that God is silent to our prayers; that he is ignoring us.
Yet, it is those who do not know and will not listen to the promises of Scripture, who mock. And it is those who let the deafening silence distract them from the Scriptures, who think that God does not hear or answer our prayers. Yes, God lets us wait. He tests our patience. But God promises that he will give us all that we need through Jesus Christ.
Many of us are cooped up at home. We’re worried about the health of our loved ones. We’re worried about the security of our jobs and the livelihood of those, who are forced to stop working during this pandemic. The greatest cause of fear gripping our nation right now is the unknown. We don’t know how long this crisis will last. We don’t know how long we will have to practice “social distancing.” We aren’t sure when we’ll be able to worship together at church without worrying about too many people in one place. The unknown stokes fear.
Yet, through the promises of Scripture we do know. At least we know what need to know. We know that God promises to feed us even as he feeds the birds of the air. (Matthew 6:25-35) He promises to provide for our daily bread, even as he does for those who hate him and scoff at him. (Matthew 5:45) God knows how all of this will end. He knows how it will go for us. And he is our loving, heavenly Father. We can trust in him!
And much more, God promises that whoever believes on Jesus Christ, who bore all our sins on the cross, will have everlasting life. Yes, this coronavirus will kill some. But, you know, eventually we’re all going to die, unless Christ returns first. We will all stand before God on the Day of Judgment. Yet, Jesus promises that whoever believes in him will not come into judgment, but will pass from death to life (John 5:24).
Those who don’t know mock. They mock Jesus. They mock us, who trust in him. But we trust in him, who knows all things. And he who knows all things and has made known to us our salvation through his Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani!”, Jesus cried from the cross shortly before he died. And for this, he was mocked. Those who heard him said that he was crying out to Elijah. They mocked him and told the person trying to quench Jesus’ thirst to wait and see if Elijah would come to save him.
They mocked Jesus. But, as it often is with those who mock, they proved themselves to be fools. Jesus was not calling Elijah. Rather, he was calling out to his heavenly Father. They thought Jesus was crying out to Elijah, because the word for “My God” in the Hebrew language and the name “Elijah” sound similar. Yet, had these scoffers known their Scriptures they also would have recognized that Jesus was quoting the first line of Psalm 22. A Psalm written by King David in the Spirit to prophesy of the Christ. In this very Psalm, David predicted the manner in which Christ would die, saying,
“I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet[b]--
17 I can count all my bones--
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
By quoting this Psalm, Jesus confesses that David was prophesying about him. This is Jesus’ Psalm. The details are undeniable. Psalm 22 even includes the fact that Jesus will be mocked as he suffers.
“All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
‘He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!’”
As the Psalmist predicted, Jesus’ enemies think that Jesus has lost. Moreover, they think that Jesus has lost faith. He cries out to Elijah for help. He thinks God has forsaken him. He finally has realized the error of his ways. They think these thoughts, because they are ignorant of God’s will. They have not listened to the Scriptures. Psalm 22 concludes with the Psalmist’s confidence that God will save him and that he will declare God’s salvation in the midst of God’s congregation, even to coming generations. Jesus did not deny his faith in God when he cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Rather, by quoting Psalm 22, Jesus confessed his faith that the Scriptures were being fulfilled in him.
Just as Scripture predicted that Jesus would suffer and die for the sins of the people, so also Scripture predicted that there would be those, who would ignore, scoff at, and reject this message. Isaiah chapter 53 begins, “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Yet, this same chapter, which predicts the unbelief of many people also gives some of the clearest articulations of the Gospel you’ll find anywhere.
“Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)
Jesus knew perfectly well that he was suffering for the transgressions of his people; that we benefit from his suffering. And this truth is made clear to anyone who will listen to what the Scriptures say. Jesus suffered for us willingly; yet, his words from the cross show us that this was real, not phony suffering.
Those who will not listen to Jesus mock. Those who will listen to Jesus know that he suffered for our sake. In John chapter 10, Christ says, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I receive from my Father.” (verses 17-18) Whoever will listen and believe Jesus’ words knows that Jesus goes to the cross willingly; that this was all part of his plan; that he went to the cross for us.
As the world hated Christ, so does it hate his followers. As Jesus bore his cross, so his followers bear much smaller crosses in this life. We who follow Christ are mocked for our faith. We are mocked for trusting in a man, who died. We are mocked for believing that he rose from the dead. And we are mocked for thinking that God hears and answers our prayers. And, as it was with Jesus, it seems that God is silent to our prayers; that he is ignoring us.
Yet, it is those who do not know and will not listen to the promises of Scripture, who mock. And it is those who let the deafening silence distract them from the Scriptures, who think that God does not hear or answer our prayers. Yes, God lets us wait. He tests our patience. But God promises that he will give us all that we need through Jesus Christ.
Many of us are cooped up at home. We’re worried about the health of our loved ones. We’re worried about the security of our jobs and the livelihood of those, who are forced to stop working during this pandemic. The greatest cause of fear gripping our nation right now is the unknown. We don’t know how long this crisis will last. We will don’t know how long we will have to practice “social distancing.” We aren’t sure when we’ll be able to worship together at church without worrying about too many people in one place. The unknown stokes fear.
Yet, through the promises of Scripture we do know. At least we know what need to know most. We know that God promises to feed us even as he feeds the birds of the air. He promises to provide for our daily bread, even as he does for those who hate him and scoff at him. God knows how all of this will end. He knows how it will go for us. And he is our loving, heavenly Father. We can trust in him!
And much more, God promises that whoever believes on Jesus Christ, who bore all our sins on the cross, will have everlasting life. Yes, this coronavirus will kill some. But, you know, eventually we’re all going to die, unless Christ returns first. We will all stand before God on the Day of Judgment. Yet, Jesus promises that whoever believes in him will not come into judgment, but will pass from death to life (John 5:24).
Those who don’t know mock. They mock Jesus. They mock us, who trust in him. But we trust in him, who knows all things. And what he who knows all things and made known to us our salvation through his Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. Matthew 27:45-50
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani!”, Jesus cried from the cross shortly before he died. And for this, he was mocked. Those who heard him said that he was crying out to Elijah. They mocked him and told the person trying to quench Jesus’ thirst to wait and see if Elijah would come to save him.
They mocked Jesus. But, as it often is with those who mock, they proved themselves to be fools. Jesus was not calling Elijah. Rather, he was calling out to his heavenly Father. They thought Jesus was crying out to Elijah, because the word for “My God” in the Hebrew language and the name “Elijah” sound similar. Yet, had these scoffers known their Scriptures they also would have recognized that Jesus was quoting the first line of Psalm 22. A Psalm written by King David in the Spirit to prophesy of the Christ. In this very Psalm, David predicted the manner in which Christ would die, saying,
“I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet[b]--
17 I can count all my bones--
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
By quoting this Psalm, Jesus confesses that David was prophesying about him. This is Jesus’ Psalm. The details are undeniable. Psalm 22 even includes the fact that Jesus will be mocked as he suffers.
“All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
‘He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!’”
As the Psalmist predicted, Jesus’ enemies think that Jesus has lost. Moreover, they think that Jesus has lost faith. He cries out to Elijah for help. He thinks God has forsaken him. He finally has realized the error of his ways. They think these thoughts, because they are ignorant of God’s will. They have not listened to the Scriptures. Psalm 22 concludes with the Psalmist’s confidence that God will save him and that he will declare God’s salvation in the midst of God’s congregation, even to coming generations. Jesus did not deny his faith in God when he cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Rather, by quoting Psalm 22, Jesus confessed his faith that the Scriptures were being fulfilled in him.
Just as Scripture predicted that Jesus would suffer and die for the sins of the people, so also Scripture predicted that there would be those, who would ignore, scoff at, and reject this message. Isaiah chapter 53 begins, “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Yet, this same chapter, which predicts the unbelief of many people also gives some of the clearest articulations of the Gospel you’ll find anywhere.
“Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)
Jesus knew perfectly well that he was suffering for the transgressions of his people; that we benefit from his suffering. And this truth is made clear to anyone who will listen to what the Scriptures say. Jesus suffered for us willingly; yet, his words from the cross show us that this was real, not phony suffering.
Those who will not listen to Jesus mock. Those who will listen to Jesus know that he suffered for our sake. In John chapter 10, Christ says, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I receive from my Father.” (verses 17-18) Whoever will listen and believe Jesus’ words knows that Jesus goes to the cross willingly; that this was all part of his plan; that he went to the cross for us.
As the world hated Christ, so does it hate his followers. As Jesus bore his cross, so his followers bear much smaller crosses in this life. We who follow Christ are mocked for our faith. We are mocked for trusting in a man, who died. We are mocked for believing that he rose from the dead. And we are mocked for thinking that God hears and answers our prayers. And, as it was with Jesus, it seems that God is silent to our prayers; that he is ignoring us.
Yet, it is those who do not know and will not listen to the promises of Scripture, who mock. And it is those who let the deafening silence distract them from the Scriptures, who think that God does not hear or answer our prayers. Yes, God lets us wait. He tests our patience. But God promises that he will give us all that we need through Jesus Christ.
Many of us are cooped up at home. We’re worried about the health of our loved ones. We’re worried about the security of our jobs and the livelihood of those, who are forced to stop working during this pandemic. The greatest cause of fear gripping our nation right now is the unknown. We don’t know how long this crisis will last. We don’t know how long we will have to practice “social distancing.” We aren’t sure when we’ll be able to worship together at church without worrying about too many people in one place. The unknown stokes fear.
Yet, through the promises of Scripture we do know. At least we know what need to know. We know that God promises to feed us even as he feeds the birds of the air. (Matthew 6:25-35) He promises to provide for our daily bread, even as he does for those who hate him and scoff at him. (Matthew 5:45) God knows how all of this will end. He knows how it will go for us. And he is our loving, heavenly Father. We can trust in him!
And much more, God promises that whoever believes on Jesus Christ, who bore all our sins on the cross, will have everlasting life. Yes, this coronavirus will kill some. But, you know, eventually we’re all going to die, unless Christ returns first. We will all stand before God on the Day of Judgment. Yet, Jesus promises that whoever believes in him will not come into judgment, but will pass from death to life (John 5:24).
Those who don’t know mock. They mock Jesus. They mock us, who trust in him. But we trust in him, who knows all things. And he who knows all things and has made known to us our salvation through his Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
RSS Feed