From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around mid-afternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Matthew 27:46 (MSG)
Think of the person in your life that is the closest to you. You would trust them with anything. No matter what, they will always be there for you. You've shared the good, the bad and the really ugly and they stay close. Maybe it's a parent, a spouse, a child, a sibling or a best friend. Now imagine that you were in trouble. Things are really bad and they are about to get worse.
Your closest confident, your support system is near. You know they are there even though you can't see them. Calling out, you tell them to come. If they come, everything will be better. But they don't come. You cry out more loudly. Still there is no response. You have been abandoned. Sounds like a nightmare, doesn't it?
The crush on your heart causes you to not be able to breathe. The knot in your stomach is painful. And your mind is reeling. Why? What did I do? Where are you?
As Jesus hung on the cross, he was unable to connect with his main source of love and life. He and God were one. They were connected at the hip - two peas in a pod. What God wanted, Jesus did and God in turn blessed him. Their mission was the same. Their thinking identical. And Jesus looked to God every minute of every day for guidance. And then he was gone. Not only was it dark on the outside, it was dark on the inside as well. Jesus could not see the light that he relied on for his life line. The sin placed on Jesus was too much and God had withdrawn. Jesus crushed and heartbroken at the absence of his adoration, died.
As I contemplate those moments, I can't imagine the pain and heartbreak. But, I can't help it; I don't linger there long. My sadness turns to praise as I realize that because Jesus faced the ultimate darkness, I don't have to. Never, ever, ever do I need to wonder if God has abandoned me. Never, ever, ever do I need to worry that I am alone. I am never abandoned and I am never alone because Jesus was willing to face the darkest night.