My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?

Easter Celebrations in the West have become  a funfair of bunnies and eggs. I read somewhere that the Easter bunny was reportedly introduced to America by the German immigrants who brought over their stories of an egg-laying hare. This German tradition is believed to date back to the 13th century. The Christian celebration of Easter has nothing to do with eggs and bunnies. Easter is the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Most importantly, the significance of His death and resurrection is the salvation He brought to humanity. The blood shared on the cross cleansed our sins away. The death of Jesus also initiated us into the new covenant, where the curse of the law and the power of the old man was dealt with permanently. Now, “therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (‭2 Corinthians 5:17). The cross wasn’t an easy punishment for Jesus. The journey to the cross and the crucifixion itself were painful experiences.

The Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus, crucified Him between two thieves. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.‭” (Matthew 27:37). On the cross. Jesus was mocked, ridiculed and insulted. Jesus was even offered wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it (‭Matthew 27:34). As Jesus went through the pain of crucifixion, “those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” (‭Matthew 27:39-40). Even the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Matthew 27:41-44). Jesus had to endure physical pain and emotional torture. His body was weak, blood gushed all over, yet even in His very painful state, the people had no pity on Him.

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). (‭Matthew 27:46)

As the people mocked and insulted Jesus in their ignorance, the powers of the heavens and the earth were shaken. Heaven was still. The Father’s own begotten Son, sinless and perfect hanged on a cross like a criminal. The atmosphere changed suddenly. Power was about to change hands. From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land (‭Matthew 27:45). A total eclipse caused by the very important assignment. Jesus was at the epicenter of His assignment, the religious leaders standing nearby couldn’t see the spiritual exchanges that were taking place. On the day of the crucifixion, about three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). That was the moment the Father took away His eyes from His Son. Jesus at the height of this darkened environment was an epitome of sin. He bore the sins of the whole world beginning with that of Adam in the Garden of Eden. Jesus became a curse (Deuteronomy 21:23) and He took the curse of the Law and nailed it on the cross.

The Father took His face away, as Jesus cried out, He felt the weight of sin and the punishment of sin. The Father loves the Son so much but at that moment, He took His face away so the Son can atone for the sins of all humanity. Imagine the price the Father paid for love: the death of His only begotten Son. Even in such a painful moment, some of those standing there after they heard the cry of Jesus said, “He’s calling Elijah.”‭ (Matthew 27:47). The people missed the bigger picture. One of those standing there ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink (maybe to ease Jesus’ pain). Yet, the rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” (‭Matthew 27:48-49). At that moment, Jesus cried out again in a loud voice and He gave up His spirit (‭Matthew 27:50). As soon As Jesus gave up the spirit, the environment responded again:
“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” (‭Matthew 27:51-53).‬

The extraordinary events that characterized the crucifixion were visible to all. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (‭Matthew 27:54).

Indeed,  Jesus is the Son of God. He had to go through the pain of death to set us free. He was forsaken by His Father at the height of the crucifixion so that Jesus could take our place and take our curse. Easter is so important and significant. Celebrate the day with meaning and understanding. Help your children understand it too. No bunny or egg is involved in this salvation story. Jesus is the reason for the season.

The Last Supper

Special meal times with family and friends are important events that leave indelible marks in the hearts of attendees. Depending on the occasion,  meal time could also be a moment to consider important things, appreciate some people and if possible make certain commitments for the coming days, weeks, months or even years. Personally,  I appreciate the opportunity to be part of Christmas or Easter meal time with family and friends. It is an opportunity to share the love of God with each other. The first ever Easter celebration began with a meal as well. Jesus, being aware that His time was near, planned a perfect family supper with His disciples. Obviously, that was not the first time Jesus had a meal with His disciples but this was quite significant because it was their last supper together before Jesus was arrested, trialed and subsequently crucified.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”‭ (Matthew 26:26-29)

Jesus had the plans for the supper all laid out. When His disciples asked for the plans for the Passover, Jesus replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” (‭Matthew 26:18). At His words, the disciples went ahead and prepared the supper. Several significant events happened at the supper. Jesus washed the feets of His disciples, He predicted Judas betrayal, He instituted the Holy Communion and He also predicted Peter’s denial. Let’s focus on the Holy Communion and how it began. From Matthew’s account, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”‭ (Matthew 26:26-29).

At the meal, Jesus took the bread, He informed His disciples that the bread is His body. A few hours after the meal, Jesus was arrested and His body was afflicted with pain and agony. He was literally broken by extreme pain and suffering. Jesus knowing this beforehand alluded to the bread as His body that was about to be broken and wounded. According to history, Jesus’ body was badly affected by all the beatings from the Roman soldiers. His skin was disfigured beyond human likeness. Even His face was not spared as a crown of thorns was set upon His head. While on the cross, the soldiers pierced His sides until blood and water gushed out. Indeed, Jesus’ body was broken for us.

Also, Jesus referred to the cup they shared at the meal as His blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ blood was shared from the crown of His head to the sole of His feet. His head, face, body (front and back), side, feets, hands, and heart all bleed profusely because of all the suffering Jesus was made to go through. The blood of Jesus was so significant and important in the ultimate plan of God. It is by the blood of Jesus that we have forgiveness of sins. The blood was so powerful that as soon as it touched the ground, things began happening in the spiritual realm. The physical environment and the spiritual environment could not hold on to the blood. The earth shook, the temple was impacted as the curtains separating the holy of holies from the holy place were torn into two. In the spiritual realm, Jesus’ blood atoned for the sins of all humanity from Adam until the end of age. The sinless blood of Jesus wiped away the ordinances of sins against those who come to Him. Like a permanent cleanser, the blood did not leave any trace of our iniquities. Infact, those who have been chained by the power of sin and death in Hades were not left out. They heard the message of the gospel. ‭

Colossians 2:15 states that ‬Jesus having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. The Last Supper of Jesus was not just one of the meal times, it was an important occasion that revealed deep truths about the saving work of Jesus. It is important that we partake in this Holy Communion here on earth and also with Jesus in His Father’s kingdom. If there are any barriers that prevent you from participating in the Holy Communion, pray about it. If the barrier demands an action from you, like getting water baptized or moving away from a sinful lifestyle, be intentional about it. In this Holy week, be reminded of the power in partaking in the Holy Communion.