Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Psalm 22
1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
Commentary:
Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? Jesus quotes Ps. 22:1 (see note on Matt. 27:35). The last two words are Aramaic (the everyday language spoken by Jesus), and the first two could be either Aramaic or Hebrew. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Some of the most profoundly mysterious words in the entire Bible. In some sense Jesus had to be cut off from the favor of and fellowship with the Father that had been his eternally, because he was bearing the sins of his people and therefore enduring God’s wrath (cf. Isa. 53:6, 10; Hab. 1:13; Rom. 3:25; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; 1 John 2:2). And yet, in quoting Ps. 22:1 Jesus probably has in mind the remainder of the psalm as well, which moves on to a cry of victory (Ps. 22:21–31); and he expresses faith, calling God “my God.” Surely he knows why he is dying, for this was the purpose of his coming to earth (cf. Matt. 16:21; 20:18–19, 28). And surely his cry, uttered with a loud voice, is expressing, not bewilderment at his plight, but witness to the bystanders, and through them to the world, that he was experiencing God-forsakenness not for anything in himself but for the salvation of others. Surely Matthew, understanding this, quotes Jesus’ words to challenge his readers. Jesus’ torment, despite his anticipations of it in Gethsemane, was surely inconceivable in advance (cf. note on 24:36).
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 1886.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 1886.
Questions:
- When Jesus cries out, "WHY?!", He's not asking for an explanation, He's asking for ACTION. This is the first time Jesus addresses the Father as "God" instead of "Father." Because the truth is, the intimacy and oneness with the Father HAD been broken. God HAD looked away in this moment and fellowship HAD been broken. Why? Because God placed on Jesus the sins of the world. His cry was not one of disbelief, but of disorientation as He who knew no sin became sin for us. How grateful are you today that Jesus gave His all for you and died the death you deserved? How should this truth affect your overall attitude and disposition today?
- Jesus experienced for the first time what sin does... it separates us from God. Our sin hurts our relationship with Him. Sinning against your spouse doesn't mean you aren't married, but it will sure affect your level of connection and intimacy and oneness. Have you ever experienced the pain of separation from God because of sin? What should our response be if we find ourselves drifting from God and living in sin?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would live a grateful life today.
- That you would live a life of repentance today.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
No Comments