November 18: Forsaken and Abandoned!
Suggested reading: Matt. 27:33-66, Mark 15:23-47, Luke 23:32-56, John 19:18-37
Luke 23:32-56
Amplified Bible (AMP)
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be executed with Him.
33 And when they came to the place which is called The Skull [Latin: Calvary; Hebrew: Golgotha], there they crucified Him, and [along with] the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.
34 And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they divided His garments and distributed them by casting lots for them.
35 Now the people stood by [calmly and leisurely] watching; but the rulers scoffed and sneered (turned up their noses) at Him, saying, He rescued others [[j]from death]; let Him now rescue Himself, if He is the Christ (the Messiah) of God, His Chosen One!
36 The soldiers also ridiculed and made sport of Him, coming up and offering Him vinegar (a sour wine mixed with water)
37 And saying, If you are the King of the Jews, save (rescue) Yourself [[k]from death].
38 For there was also an inscription above Him [l]in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew: This is the King of the Jews.
39 One of the criminals who was suspended kept up a railing at Him, saying, Are You not the Christ (the Messiah)? Rescue Yourself and us [from death]!
40 But the other one reproved him, saying, Do you not even fear God, seeing you yourself are under the same sentence of condemnation and suffering the same penalty?
41 And we indeed suffer it justly, receiving the due reward of our actions; but this Man has done nothing out of the way [nothing [n]strange or eccentric or perverse or unreasonable].
42 Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come in Your kingly glory!
43 And He answered him, Truly I tell you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.
44 It was now about the sixth hour (midday), and darkness enveloped the whole land and earth until the ninth hour (about three o’clock in the afternoon),
45 While the sun’s light faded or [p]was darkened; and the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two.
46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit! And with these words, He expired.
47 Now the centurion, having seen what had taken place, recognized God and thanked and praised Him, and said, Indeed, without question, this Man was upright (just and innocent)!
48 And all the throngs that had gathered to see this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned to their homes, beating their breasts.
49 And all the acquaintances of [Jesus] and the women who had followed Him from Galilee stood at a distance and watched these things.
50 Now notice, there was a man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council (the Sanhedrin), and a good (upright, [r]advantageous) man, and righteous (in right standing with God and man),
51 Who had not agreed with or assented to the purpose and action of the others; and he was expecting and waiting for the kingdom of God.
52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
53 Then he took it down and rolled it up in a linen cloth for swathing dead bodies and laid Him in a rock-hewn tomb, where no one had ever yet been laid.
54 It was the day of Preparation [for the Sabbath], and the Sabbath was dawning (approaching).
55 The women who had come with [Jesus] from Galilee followed closely and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.
56 Then they went back and made ready spices and ointments (perfumes). On the Sabbath day they rested in accordance with the commandment.
Matthew 27:45-47
Amplified Bible (AMP)
45 Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (three o’clock).
46 And about the ninth hour (three o’clock) Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?—that is, My God, My God, why have You abandoned Me [leaving Me helpless, forsaking and failing Me in My need]?
Are you completely forsaken and abandoned in your greatest time of need? You're not alone! Jesus was too. Go with the flow, cling to Him and be patient. But it hurts too much, you say? Read this account again. Jesus had no one coming to His aid. He was all alone with no hope of any rescue in sight. He literally died. His closest family and followers watched Him die from a distance.
What did Jesus do when He was completely forsaken?
46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit! And with these words, He expired.
He surrendered. And when He died, Miracles began to happen! Immediately!
Matthew 27:51-54
Amplified Bible (AMP)
51 And at once the curtain of the sanctuary of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split.
52 The tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep in death were raised [to life];
53 And coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those who were with him keeping watch over Jesus observed the earthquake and all that was happening, they were terribly frightened and filled with awe, and said, Truly this was God’s Son!
"Dear Jesus I pray for the one who is completely forsaken without any glimmer of hope in sight. Help her to simply surrender to the Master Potter and allow herself to be crushed and broken as You were. As she patiently waits it out, as You did, and allows all her dreams and hopes of restoration to completely die, that's when she will begin to see the miraculous in her life. Help her to wholly and totally follow Your perfect example. While people are shaking their heads, whispering among themselves, and watching her go down, help her to just wait it out peacefully and cling to You. And cling to this beautiful example of surrender. And know in her heart the miraculous will happen as soon as she totally surrenders to Your will!!! "The end is near" actually signifies a new beginning! You are so awesome, Jesus. Thank You for this horrible, yet beautiful example You have left for us to follow! You alone are worthy and I will praise Your name, the name of Jesus, forever! AMEN."
Comments
Post a Comment