Jesus Year: Crucifixion
The other day we went for a drive toward Mount Hood. I was feeling sick, so I stayed in the car when the family got out to explore the woods in the snow.
But they were gone a long time, so I got out to sit under a tree in the sun.
I was thinking about Jesus, half praying, and the words "My God" were floating through my mind, half a song, when suddenly this image flashed into me: Jesus hung on the cross calling, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
A sudden tragedy: blindsided. Jesus, this visionary, walking around with this graced life, this special connection to heaven, immune to all these regular fears and problems: the guy who's always got the wise word for people. That guy. And maybe he had this expectation for how his life would go—and now this. This shocking, grating experience, not theoretical at all but real, bringing his life from 60 to zero in a grind that he did not see coming.
Inconceivable, inconceivable that one blow could cause such pain! ... Never, for any reason on earth, could you wish for an increase of pain. Of pain you could wish only one thing: that it should stop. ... In the face of pain there are no heroes, no heroes, he thought over and over as he writhed on the floor, clutching uselessly at his disabled left arm (Orwell 1949).
Of course the sticklers will say, he did too see it coming because what about the garden of Gethsemane, and also: son of God. I know all that. What I'm saying doesn't align with the text.
Still, this is what struck me under the tree that day with such a shock of pain.
I believe he knew he was supposed to do this; 3 times he prayed to ask it be taken away, but then he accepted the call..but accepting the call did not take away his humanity; maybe he was overcome with such agony of spirit and body he had to scream..
or..in Aramaic, the translation of his words says, “my God my God to this I was called..”
If that is so, then he knew he was in the ultimate purpose for his life, death and resurrection..
He knew he was undoing the act of treachery Adam committed..he knew he was paving the way for humans to have relationship with the FATHER..
my thoughts..
Right, it would be hard to argue otherwise. The text is pretty clear. I’m not interpreting the text here so much as describing an image that startled me: the possibility that there was surprise in those words he said. There are a lot of people who don’t see their cross coming (whatever that may be). Perhaps it was their faces I was seeing reflected in his suffering … a sudden kick in the gut.
well, life does that; kicks us in the gut, that is. Ready or not, here LIFE comes.. the gut – kicker..
I think your sudden recall of his words is a powerful call, for all of us maybe to ask, “what do You want of me? What can I possibly do for You?”
I’ve asked those things often.. because I often doubt that even LOVE Himself could want my company. Why? Except that if (since) He allowed me to be and survive all I have..and allow me to make a demand that NO MORE can I take what I’ve endured ; and if I have to, if that is what is coming again, I will die..I will give up.
But the only act I feel gladdens the Heart of Yahshua..( and I sense in my spirit the sweetness of His approval) is talking to him about my family, my descendents..making intercession for hem and for my ancestors.
Remember, NO such thing as timelines exist with HIM. I wonder if Aaron knows I still pray for him and about him.
I believe that realization came to you as a cord of Love drawing you….My humble opinion..
Thanks. <3