We all know the Story, it is told around the world.
Jesus Christ is Crucified!!
I can’t imagine one of the longest days of his life on earth. Jesus had gone through so much, he is on the cross nearing his death. He feels the pain, the abandonment of all that were with him. He knows he has to finish it! He already asked two or three times if it were possible to have the cup pass from him. None the less not my will he says but thy will be done. But this does not take away the pain or the suffering that he is now enduring. He knows all to well the price and the pain he must now be put through. All this to reconcile man to the father! So that God may be glorified. At one point it is so much that he cries out “ My God, My God why have you forsaken me?”
Or (going out on a limb here) could he just be pouring out his true feelings???
Lets face the truth, we have all been there!! In a time of desperation, pain, abandonment, suffering, frustration, anger, etc. etc. At one time we have made comments like this.
God where are you!!!
God what the hell are doing!!
God I can’t feel you!
God I don’t see you!
I’m sure the list goes on and on!!
Jesus was 100% God but he was also 100% man, when studying his life we can see both. If any one deserves to make such a statement surely it would be him.
In many of today’s Christian circles we are not allowed to voice such true feelings of what the HELL… Instead we need to know all the right refrigerator verses so that when the going gets ruff we can remind our selves and others of the truth and how we need to believe and react to such situations.
I can just imagine after Jesus making such a statement, his followers that were standing by at the foot of the cross coming to him saying. No No Jesus, you shouldn’t say such things. You know that your father is omnipresent, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Don’t worry, when you are weak he is strong! With God all things are possible! For you know the plans he has for you, plans to prosper you not to harm you.
I think that Jesus knew all of these things very well just as many of us do. We know he is always there, we know that he will provide for all our needs according to his riches and glory. But knowing such things does not always take the feelings away! We must be honest and truthful in how we feel in what we are experiencing. I am not saying that we should not know and quote Gods word, what I am saying is there is time and place for it. Let’s be real! Let’s allow others to be real! Some times it enough to know that you are not the only one with such experiences or feelings. Your not going crazy, your not sinning, your just trying to be real. There is encouragement in that.
We are all striving to be like Christ, that means that we are not yet. So we are striving, and while striving we can not be hypocritical but simply show people that we are real and really seeking to be like him "Christ" who was perfect in every way.
Why was it that King David was called a man after God’s own heart?
1 comment:
You know the lesson I'm learning through these times of "not feeling God" has taken me down an interesting path the last few years.
I am learning that in these times, it's not wrong to ask God these questions, and "being real with Him." The fact that we are taking these issues we are facing, and asking God "Where are you?" is the act of worship.
Where we get into trouble, and where we need to repent, is when we try to get out of it on our own, and then ask God "Where are you?"
You know God never says in His Word, that we will always have a good feeling when facing hard times, and we should just go through them with a smile on our face. He wants a relationship with us. Think about friendships, and marital relationships here. When you face hard times with your spouse (or friends), you don't smile, and say, "I feel good about this." NO! You get real, yell, and dig deep with each other to work it out.
It should be no different with God. Just because you don't "feel good" about a situation, and you can't "feel" God, doesn't mean you should just plaster a smile on your face. God wants you to be real enough with Him, to dig deep within your soul; submitting your feelings to Him (Proverbs 3:5-6), and work it out WITH HIM!
It's not irreverant, it's not pride, it's truly brokeness to cry out to God in your anguish. It's not how you respond, it's WHO you respond to in these times. If you're responding to God by submitting your feelings to Him, then you are acting out on worship. If you respond to how you are feeling, and let that feeling control how you act, and try to do things your own way without acknowledging God; then you are engrossed in sin.
Remember, it was Jesus who said, "If it be Your will, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but Your's be done." (Worship). When He could have said, "I cannot drink from this cup, forgive me." And got up and walked away. (Sin).
That's the difference. Good post.
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