We are looking at the words of Jesus from the cross. All short, all cries of a desperate dying man on a cross, and all expressing deep need. They are all uttered from a place of total helplessness; they are cries of anguish. But none so much as Jesus’ cry of being completely alone and forsaken.
I have experienced much emotional pain, and also physical pain, since the first of the year. First, I lost my father, the man to whom I owe so much, and then I had my knee replaced. A lot of pain and some times of deep loneliness. But one thing I didn’t experience in this extended season of Lent was the feeling of being abandoned and forsaken. No matter where I looked, there were people “with” me – sometimes physically and with hugs and concern, often with food and quick conversations, or some from notes and texts. The pain seems to be bearable; what would unhinge my sanity would be if I was totally alone, having no one with me in the midst of this ordeal.
If you want to know how bad sin is, just look at Jesus’ cries of abandonment on the cross. On the last day of Jesus’ life, he watched everyone he loved and poured his whole life into walk away. That in itself would be enough to unhinge his sanity. Yet nothing prepares us for this—Jesus is utterly forsaken by his own Father on the cross. I hope you will join us Sunday as we unpack this.
Also, let me remind you that if you have not filled out a pledge card, please take the time to do so. You can either mail them to the church or bring it with you Sunday and put it in the offering plate. To make it even simpler, we will have cards here in case you forget. The deadline for turning your pledge card in is March 17th. I am so excited to see how God will use Our Big Backyard to continue our vision of setting tables for the lonely!
I can’t wait to be with you Sunday. It seems like an eternity since I was here, but I am so thankful to be out and about again.
Blessings,
Jim
P.S. Also, don't forget to set your clocks forward a hour tonight for Daylight Savings Time!