Article Display
Email  |  My Account  |  Donate
emptyroom"About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?')" (Matt. 27:46).

This fourth statement from the cross is the very core of our redemption. It is the very essence of the Christian faith. If you miss this, you miss everything.

The Father and the Son were always one unit. Why would He abandon His Son now?

Had the Father not turned His back on the Son, had the Father not abandoned the Son at that moment, we could never be sure that the Son actually carried our sin and our judgment on the cross.

This is the most surprising statement of all those Christ made from the cross. In fact, it is downright confusing to many people. Here the word forsaken literally means "to leave someone in a lurch or abandon someone completely." How can the Father abandon His Son who coexisted with Him in perfect unity for eternity? The Father and the Son were always one unit. Why would He abandon His Son now?

Make no mistake about it, He did abandon Him. Why? It was for you. It was for me. It was for our redemption. It was for our forgiveness—so that we could live forever.

In Jesus' most desperate moment, He could not turn to God as His Abba Father with whom He had always had the most perfect, intimate relationship of love. Instead, He faced God the Father as just Judge of all the sin of the world that Christ bore for us on the cross. God "did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all" (Rom. 8:32).

Prayer:
Father, I am humbled to think that You would forsake Your Son because of my sin. Thank You for the reminder of the incredible cost of my sin. Help me to live a life of gratitude for Your love and forgiveness. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered" (Psalm 32:1).




Copyright © Michael Youssef
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Author Biography

Michael Youssef
Web site: Leading the Way
 
Michael Youssef founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission to "Equip the Saints and Seek the Lost." The church has since grown to a congregation of over 3000. This church on a hill was the launching pad for Leading the Way's international ministry. Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef passionately proclaims uncompromising Truth through radio and television programs, the Internet, and through books, periodicals, and other resources. Programs are translated and broadcast into 20 languages, covering more than 200 countries. This Atlanta-based organization partners internationally with in-country follow-up teams to encourage believers in their faith, helping God's kingdom to grow around the world.
Read more...

About Us

The online ministry of cfaith has been helping people discover faith, friends and freedom in the Word since 2000. Cfaith provides a unique and comprehensive collection of faith-building resources for the worldwide faith community.

At cfaith, you can strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding of the Word of God by digging into the vast collection of teaching articles, streaming audio and video messages, and daily devotionals. No other website offers such a unique and extensive collection of spiritual-growth resources aimed at helping you grow in your knowledge of the Word.

Read More...

 

 

Support Us

Why support cfaith?


(All contributions are 100% tax deductible)


SUPPORT CFAITH WITH ONE CLICK!

For every Internet search you make using
goodsearch, cfaith will receive one penny!

GS Logo 250x38

Contact Us

Business Hours:


Monday—Friday: 9 a.m.—5 p.m. CST
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Phone:

(763) 488-7800 or (800) 748-8107

Mailing Address: 

CFAITH.com
9201 75th Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

 

Login Form

Please ignore the “Secret Key” field; it is not needed to log in to cfaith.

Login Change Article

Spring360x442
You need to enable user registration from User Manager/Options in the backend of Joomla before this module will activate.