Resurrection Power

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?”  - Psalm 22:1

When Jesus was dying on the cross he cries out, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). One commentator remarks, “Psalm 22 stands out as perhaps the clearest and most compelling picture of Jesus’ death and resurrection in the Old Testament. As Charles Spurgeon said, ‘This is beyond all others The Psalm of the Cross.’” (Johnston, 2015). The cross of Jesus Christ represents the greatest suffering in history. Jesus experienced not only physical pain but also God’s wrath by taking our sins. As he was dying on the cross, Jesus was not only crying out to God in pain, but also remembering the last words of the Psalm 22. Psalm 22:21-31 is a song of praise and victory. The psalmist cries, “Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!” (Psalm 22:21). The literal translation of “you have rescued me” is “you have heard me!” He knew in his heart and soul that God has heard his cry. Jesus understood the purpose of the cross and he endured the cross for the joy that was set before him (Hebrews 12:2). The joy of our salvation! 

The Well Church, as we partake in Holy Communion today, let us remember Jesus and proclaim his saving death on the cross. Let us remember the resurrection power and place our trust in what matters most. 

Soli Deo Gloria!