Easter 2010 (Pt. 4) | “My God, My God…”

Easter 2010 Meditations

The Fourth Word

³³And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. ³⁴And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:33-34)

Meditation on the Fourth Word

Jesus’ 33 years on earth were the most turbulent years in the existence of God. For the first time in the span of eternity the perfect communion of the God-head was impeded by flesh and blood. In these words we hear the ultimate suffering of God. Anyone who believes that God has not paid a price in our redemption has missed the Cross. For it is here that we see Jesus standing in our distress. For the first time in God’s existence God experienced what it was like to be separated from God in the person of Jesus. When you cry out to God because He feels so distant, and you will, never forget that God Himself knows what you are going through. Therefore, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, ESV).

Easter 2010 (Pt. 3) | “Woman, behold, your son!”

Easter 2010 Meditations

The Third Word

²⁵but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” ²⁷Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:25-27)

Meditation on the Third Word

Of all the words that Jesus spoke that afternoon this is the one that stands juxtaposed against the others. In the midst of all the suffering and pain that was being experienced and seen, none could have been more devastated than Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary, was the beneficiary of the single greatest revelation of God that God has ever given. It was to Mary that the Messiah was sent. And it was from Mary that the Messiah that was conceived in her womb and born. And even now as Jesus is dying He thinks of her and entrusts her into the hands of his dear friend John. Jesus’ exemplifies for us that our earthly responsibilities are not something to be dismissed as life draws to a close. Have you thought of your family and friends in light of your mortality? What would you have them remember? Jesus loved Mary to the end.

Easter 2010 (Pt. 2) | “Today you will be with Me…”

Easter 2010 Meditations

The Second Word

³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

Meditation on the Second Word

The promise of eternal life is not something we have to wait for. At the moment that we put our trust in Jesus, He promises that we have entered into the family of God. Too often we make the terrible mistake of thinking that it is our knowledge of Jesus that will matter. No, dear friends. It is not whether you remember Jesus in those moments of fear, confusion or despair. What will matter when we are confronted with our own mortality will be if He remembers you. The only thing that causes Jesus to remember us is faith, for “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6) and when Jesus returns Luke tells us that there will be a question asked. It is this, “…When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). Do you want to be remembered? Than place your faith in Jesus.

Easter 2010 (Pt. 1) | “Father, Forgive them…”

Easter 2010 Meditations

The First Word

³² Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. ³³ And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴ And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. ³⁵ And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine ³⁷ and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23:33-38)

Mediation on the First Word

From the vantage point of the cross Jesus’ perspective was crystal clear. He looked at the throngs that encircled Him and the thieves that hung with Him and spoke the words that only someone who sees the truth of the situation could. It was here on the cross that God’s wrath was meted out with the full weight and fury that Sin deserved. But as God’s wrath landed upon Jesus, what emerged from Jesus’ mouth were words of love. Our ignorance does not remove our responsibilities of our past, but our ignorance will not disqualify us from believing in the future. When you wonder, “How can God possibly continue to love me when I fail so badly?” I say to you look to Jesus and hear these words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

<a href=”http://christiandojo.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/easter-2010-pt-1-father-forgive-them/”>”Father, Forgive them…”</a>
<a href=”http://christiandojo.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/easter-2010-pt-2-today-you-will-be-with-me/”>”Today you will be with Me”</a>
<a href=”http://christiandojo.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/easter-2010-pt-3-woman-behold-your-son/”>”Woman, behold, your son!”</a>
<a href=”http://christiandojo.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/easter-2010-pt-4-my-god-my-god/”>”My God, My God…”</a>
<a href=”http://christiandojo.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/easter-2010-pt-5-i-thirst/”>”I Thirst”</a>
<a href=”http://christiandojo.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/easter-2010-pt-6-it-is-finished/”>”It is Finished!”</a>
<a href=”http://christiandojo.wordpress.com/2010/04/10/easter-2010-pt-7-father-into-your-hands/”>”Father, into your hands…”</a>