When I was Muslim, man, this verse used to mess me up.
Jesus on the cross saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
As a Muslim, I used to think: how does God feel forsaken by God? That sounds like weakness. That sounds like a prophet in pain.
But then I dug deeper.
And I realized Jesus was not speaking randomly. He was quoting Psalm 22.
That entire Psalm, written by King David centuries before Christ, is a prophecy about the crucifixion:
“They pierce my hands and feet.”
“They divide my garments among them.”
“All who see me mock me.”
In Jewish culture, quoting the first line of a Psalm pointed people to the entire passage.
So Jesus was not crying out in confusion.
He was declaring fulfillment.
He was saying: “This is that.”
And at the same time, He was carrying the full weight of sin, shame, abandonment, and suffering for humanity.
Every moment humanity has cried out, “God, where are you?” Christ stepped into that pain Himself.
That is not weakness.
That is intentional.
That is prophecy unfolding in real time.
That is the King bleeding on purpose so humanity could be brought near to God.
That is the Gospel.
Experience
Some people say, if you base your relationship with God, on experience, you could be deceived. It’s true. But I’d like to point out that the goal of the Bible is that you would have a relationship with God. Therefore, if you memorize the Bible and you don’t know God then you are already deceived.
I love the Bible! But if, knowing the Bible, and knowing God, were the same thing, the Pharisees would’ve rocked it.
If the God who created the universe lives inside you, and that doesn’t manifest in supernatural experiences in your life, you have reason to question your reality.
The Apostle Paul wrote, ”For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 Preaching a powerless Gospel, is peaching a different gospel.
If you love Jesus and haven’t experienced His supernatural power, (demonstrated in the Old and New Testament); there is MORE!!! God wants to move in you, on you and through you!!! Press in to Him, read your Bible with an open heart, and stop listening to religious leaders who are proclaiming a experienceless and powerless gospel.
NEWS UPDATE
Here’s something remarkable that went almost unnoticed earlier this year.
Papua New Guinea has officially amended its constitution to declare itself a Christian Nation, with an overwhelming vote of 80 to 4.
The amendment adds a declaration to the preamble of the Constitution:
“We acknowledge and declare God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit as our Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, and the source of our powers and authorities, delegated to the people and all persons within the geographical jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea.”
Christianity will also now be reflected in the Fifth Goal of the Constitution, and the Bible will be recognised as a national symbol.
In a world drifting fast from truth, it is deeply moving to see a nation publicly acknowledging the triune God as the foundation of its identity and authority.
The most religious leaders of Jesus’ time were the same ones who missed the Savior of the world right in front of them.
Religion blinds us from the Truth because, without the Word of God AND the Spirit of God, the devil uses the Bible as a weapon of oppression that keeps us blind and in bondage.
If the enemy’s been using the Bible to beat you down instead of build you up, here’s the good news - Jesus came to set captives free!
Click the link for the full sermon: https://t.co/9O4N6CNzCi
For practical tools out of fear, anxiety, and depression follow this link to order your copy of Deliver Us From Evil: https://t.co/6VsofLTbMe
There’s a season for everything.
Seasons change.
Don’t get stuck in a season you’re no longer in.
Don’t try to go back to a season that’s changed.
Don’t try to prolong a season that’s ended.
There’s no grace for what’s no longer there.
There’s grace for this season.
Pretty sure we will be worshipping in French when we’re in heaven. Can’t even explain how much I love the WHOLE world. Always have. These women are incredible.
People will let you down. You will let people down. We are all flawed. That’s why we look up to Jesus. He is the only one who will never leave us nor forsake us. He is the only one who is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the only one in whom there is no darkness.
I’m training to be the #LastFanStanding during today’s big game, and win a Mercedes-AMG! Check it out at https://t.co/Ck2jABIYpQ https://t.co/aq3RPtiCK6