First things first – the words I share with you in this post, aside from the introduction, are not my words. These words were taken from the March-April 2013 issue of The Upper Room, a daily devotion publication.
The story of Jesus on the cross calling out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” has troubled me for years. I wondered why – if he was the Son of God – would he question God, and why would he fear his Father’s plan? I still had faith, but my faith coexisted with questions. Plus, I’ve always struggled with Christians labeling today “Good Friday”, when I consider death to be anything but “good”.
I read these words last night, before I went to sleep. Though I was ready to close my eyes for the day, the message I received was an eye-opener. The writer’s words made sense to me, especially since I was in a similar situation when I was around 7yrs old. I may still bristle a bit at the term “good” Friday, but I understand the thought behind the sentiment.
::
Why Don’t You Help?
Written by Gavin Campbell
Western Cape, South Africa
“We had just finished a particularly busy Holy Week and Easter weekend when our 15-month-old son was injured. He pulled a tablecloth from a table, and the cloth brought with it a square, rough-cut glass vase that sliced his nose open as it fell. It was a serious cut.
At the hospital, we had to wait six hours for treatment; they had to delay administering anesthesia because he had eaten just before the incident.
When his treatment time came, his mother and I accompanied him into the operating room to keep him calm; but he panicked anyway. As the medical team struggled to hold the mask over his face long enough for the anesthesia to take effect, they bumped his nose, starting the bleeding again.
Blood was everywhere; it even ran back into his eyes. With those blood-filled eyes he looked at us as if asking, “Why are you standing and watching them hurt me like this? Why aren’t you doing something to help me?”
I told him that this was the only way to “make it better”.
Then it dawned on me: God watched Jesus dying on the cross, as Jesus asked, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” But Christ’s death was God’s only way to “make it better”, to heal us and to take away the pain and the penalty of our sin.”
.::.
Lenore's Thoughts Exactly 
That’s how I tend to view it too, Lenore. I’ve read a lot on the subject of religion/sin lately, and finally I think I’m coming to grasp the entire concept. Be simply being human, we all give in to our more selfish desires and therefore sin. This is how it has always been–it’s our nature. God sent Jesus here to help take away some of that burden we all carry and will hopefully shed once we die and are with God again. Jesus was human though, so he would naturally ask for help and relief from the torture and pain. But he had to go through it in order to progress. I view him as a symbol for us. We all have to go through our own trials and painful times in order to become more like God too. It really gives you a lot to think about. Happy Easter to you and yours.
I hope you had a nice Easter, Darla. Glad you liked this post.
Thanks for sharing this, Lenore. It was “Good” for the rest of us. 🙂 Happy Easter to you and your family.
Thank you, Patti – and you’re welcome. 🙂
I found myself humming “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” most of yesterday, Maundy Thursday when Jesus was betrayed. Thursday and Friday were the “bad” part of the story, but I’m already in anticipation for Sunday to sing this Easter hymn.
That’s exactly the question I posted this week uttered by the most humble of believers, and I will repeat here. I think our faith becomes deeper asking questions in time of doubt. Jesus cried out the question to his Father. That relationship was between him and Him, one that endured. We must forge our own relationships.
Amen, Georgette.
Thank you.
You’re welcome, Angel.
Perfection, thank you for sharing.
And as a kid, I never understood the use of the word “good” on that Friday – when we knew what was coming. As an adult, I get it now — the good came later. The tomb was empty so we could be filled.
MJ
Thank you for reading, MJ.
Seeing your Upper Room connection takes me right back to our childhood home where the publication was always read and displayed. I think the ability to use the lessons is the real gift. Hope you had a great Easter.
Hello Renee – my apologies for not responding sooner. I appreciate you stopping by and reading this post. I love The Upper Room. It is – dare I say – an easy way to keep my faith alive and well.
Our Easter was nice, thank you, and I hope you had a wonderful one, too.
Thank you for this perspective on Christ’s death. I can’t say I really understand why he had to die, and perhaps I never will. All I can do is ponder and pray and then take that giant leap of faith.
Thanks for reading the perspective, Peg. I am glad the ‘religious post’ didn’t deter you.