Sunday: The morning message focused on Matthew 27:45-46. In this saying from the cross, Jesus asks an important question, "My God, my God, Why have you forsaken me?". Although, many answers could be give we focused on three. These words of Jesus are often quoted to show his humanity and stress his fear. But, in reality they show his complete trust as he is quoting Psalm 22, which foretells of the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion. The Psalmist, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, not only described the event of the crucifixion, but he also expresses a profound trust in the Lord.
Jesus was forsaken because of the holiness of God. God's eyes are too pure to look on sin (see Habakkuk 1:13). The sin of the world rested on Jesus as he hung on the cross. The wrath of God abided on Jesus, while the sins of the world rested on him. While Jesus was suffering as the sin offering, in our place, the Father could not look on him.
Jesus was forsaken so that God could be both just and the One who justifies (see Rom. 3:26). We are descendants of Adam and share in his nature, we live in a fallen evironment (that is under satanic control), and we are naturally bent toward sin. Yet, God is his forebearance does not destroy us the instant we sin. Why? It's not because he is incapable. Nor is he unjust. Sin has been or will be punished. It either has been punished in Jesus, on the cross, or it will be punished in the sinner, for not fleeing to the cross. Yet, if none of us are righteous how can God accept us? He can accept us because he has appointed a substitute, that has bore the penalty for sin, which is death. Jesus is that substitute.
Jesus was forsaken so that we might become the righteousness of God (see 2 Cor. 5:21). Paul, tells us that God made Christ to be a sin offering for us, so that we might through Christ become the righteousness of God. Jesus was forsaken not only to kill our sin, but so that we could share in his righteousness.
If we come to Christ in faith, we can never be forsaken, because he has already be forsaken and vindicated. Our sin has received its just punishment in Christ's death.
Evening: We talked about praying for the lost. Pray is an important principle in evangelism. We need to continually pray for opportunity to share and the boldness to witness. We need to continually ask the Spirit to open eyes blinded by the enemy and give our hearers receptive hearts.
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