For the World to Hear

Warriors Arise: April 19, 2022

Mark 15:33-34 (NKJV) Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Jesus is suffering beyond what is imaginable. Mel Gibson did a outstanding job of trying to give us a picture of the suffering Jesus went through in His last 12 hours in The Passion of the Christ. I am truly thankful for Jesus stepping in to be my sacrifice. There is no way I can imagine how physically painful it was to be beaten, whipped, have the crown of thorns rammed onto my skull, and dripping blood with every step through Jerusalem to the place they were going to nail me to the cross. Then to hang on the cross until breath left me. I can't imagine not passing out from the loss of blood, the physical trauma to my body. Then to add to my physical pain, the emotional reality of the betrayal by my closest friends, the stupidity the people and the hatred of the priests would just be overwhelming. I don't know how Jesus continued to breathe. His mental restraint blows my mind. Jesus was so focused on us that he didn't allow His anguishing body to give out. His love for us is more than I can comprehend, because He didn't allow His mind to give up. He couldn't. He couldn't give up on what only He could do. And He definitely didn't want round two of this. It really isn't that He couldn't, it is that He wouldn't. He wouldn't give up on us.

Jesus had a choice just like You and I. He didn't have to go through with this. He could have called the angels to come and rescue Him. He could have gotten down off of that cross. They could have all watched His body heal right before their eyes just like so many leapers had been healed in a moment of time. Jesus had a choice. He chose to love the Father more than He loved Himself.

Can you imagine having the power to get yourself out of such an atrocious situation and yet you choose God's plan over your own comfort?

Love isn't love unless we have a choice. Jesus was not just following orders from God. Jesus had a choice; because if there is no choice and we are forced to do something, then it isn't love. Jesus loved the Father and He loves us. That is what kept Him on that cross. His blood ran freely for our healing. His body was nailed to that cross for each one of us to have the opportunity to be in relationship with God. Those who make the choice to love God will sacrifice their own desire to demonstrate love to God and love to His people.

How do you comprehend Jesus' cry from the cross? Verse 34, And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Those listening thought He was calling to Elijah to come save Him. We know that is not true.

I also do not believe Jesus is angry with God. Jesus did everything, so we would know what was going on. Jesus shouted this out because He had fully taken on the sin of all mankind and there was not a separation from God. This is the first time He had ever been separated from God. His shout is what we feel when we sin against God. We feel disconnected with God. It is why we skip a Sunday going to church, then another, then another. It is why we feel God is silent with us. He may be speaking to us; however, we can't hear Him, because our sin is in the way. When we choose to sin it is like putting protective earplugs in. What do those earplugs protect? They protect our ears, the sin within, the sin we have already committed. As we sin, we have put the protective ear plugs in our ears so we can't hear the Holy Spirit guide us away from sin or God call us out of our sin. Their "protection" keeps us in sin. Because Jesus had taken on all the sin of mankind, He could no longer see His Father. He could not longer hear His voice. When He cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” It was our signal. Those are words of freedom to you and I. Jesus knows the separation sin creates with the Father, because He had taken all of our sins. Not one of our sins has a debt attached to it. Jesus had taken each and every one of our sins upon Himself and was completely separated from God.

Jesus' cry from the cross to God was not in anger to God, but to let us know our sins are completely and forever paid for. Jesus wanted it to be recorded. He wanted everyone to know. He suffered enough to pay in full with every drop of blood for our sins. He knew complete separation from God. He knew the separation sin causes each and every one of us. He cried out because He wanted us to know He paid each and everyone's sin debt with His blood, with His death upon that cross. That is why He could say, "It is finished."

Father, nothing about what Jesus did reveals weakness. Everything about what He did reveals how deep is His love for me and everyone else. He didn't quietly go to the grave, because He wanted everyone to know sin separates and every single debt must be paid. He wanted everyone to know He paid that debt. I am baffled by His love for me. By Your strength, I will not allow sin to hold me captive. If I can't hear You, I will position myself before You and seek to know the sin that is plugging my ears. It is not protecting me. It is protecting my sin. When I feel separated from You I will make time to intentionally sit before You and allow You to examine me. I want sin removed from my life. I want to be in perfect connection with You and Your plans for my life, so I can fulfill the calling You have placed upon my life. I will love You with my life in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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