Route 55 Lenten Devotional Week 6
Posted on 3/24/2021 12:00:00 AM
THUS IT IS WRITTEN
PSALM 22:1 MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORESAKEN ME?
It was near the end of the horrific hours of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion. What he had physically suffered at the hands of his accusers is beyond our imagining, but probably not nearly as painful as what he had gone through emotionally as he was betrayed, falsely accused, ridiculed, humiliated, and abandoned. Echoing the words of Psalm 22:1, Jesus cried out in agony. How could things get any worse?
However his passionate plea was not the end. Early in his ministry in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had affirmed that his purpose was to fulfill or “fill full” what had been promised in the Law and Prophets. (Matt. 5:17) All that he had taught, all the miracles he had performed, and all the prophecies he had fulfilled were part of God’s plan of redemption. These seemingly tragic events were really the culmination of what was necessary for God’s plan of salvation to be accomplished.
Jesus’ final words “It is finished!” (John 19:30) were not an admission of defeat – but rather a shout of victory.