by Rev Steve Nickodemus

Forsaken for Me!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, … “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Matthew 27:46a,c

My goddaughters’ little green friend, Mr. Speckles, reminds me of Kermit the Frog’s famous thought, “It’s not easy being green!”  Indeed, it is not easy being different than everyone else.  You feel alienated, alone, and out of step with the people around you.  Do you ever feel like that as a follower of Jesus, out of step with this world’s morality, wants, and desires? If so, then consider this…

Jesus knew what it meant to be different, alienated, and alone.  In fact, not just alone but hated, persecuted, and condemned.  Jesus’ cry from the cross says it all, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  He not only felt despised by His own people, but felt forsaken by His own heavenly Father!

Jesus was condemned, punished, and made to feel the Father’s righteous wrath so that you and I could be pardoned, set free, and made right with God.  He was forsaken, that you and I might never be forsaken!  The punishment for our iniquities fell upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

Although you may have times when you feel completely alone in this world, you are never alone.  Jesus, through His obedience and sacrifice on the cross, opened your way to the Father.  For Jesus’ sake, God will never forsake you. You will never be abandoned. Your Father will never leave you.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice upon the cross for me, for being forsaken so that I will never be left alone.  Thank you, Jesus!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado