Christ's outcry: Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Christ's well-known outcry  in the midst of his suffering on the Cross were more than just words. It is important to consider what occurred before, during, and after he said them.

BEFORE: Christ endured unimaginable pain. At this point, he suffered an arrest, an unjust trial, mockery & shame, 39 lashes, a crown of thorns, carrying the cross to Golgotha, and finally being crucified. His own disciples deserted him! Yet, he endured ALL of that! But at which point was it all unbearable?

DURING: Enduring pain for the sake of all mankind was something Jesus was willing to do. He submitted himself to the Father's Will. Yet, what made the Son of God cry out? For what did he pray to the Father at the Garden of Gethsemane? The weight of all sin  of all time for all people AND the result of the Father not abiding in sin. The Father forsook the Son because became sin. WOW!

AFTER: But what was the result? Forgiveness! We often miss the second implication of Christ's quote of Psalm 22. Quoting the first line of the psalm is shorthand for Christ applying the entirety of the psalm. All of Psalm 22 applies! Here, you see the pattern of hopelessness found in our current situation and the hope only found in God. The Father forsook the Son, but there  is the hope of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross.

(Based on an article from Desiring God by Marshall Segal, August 14, 2013)

The beginning of August signals the beginning of back-to-school shopping, or at least back-to-school-shopping commercials. You may not know it, but whether you’re a freshman or senior, you’re going to need more than notebooks, pencils, and a strong book bag.

You need truth. Sure, you’re going to school, willingly or unwillingly, to learn, but there are truths you need before the algebra, literature, and biology. While you should develop good study habits for the new semester, here are some real keys to the classroom you probably won’t find in your syllabus.

1. Thinking may be the most critical thing you ever do. You’re going to school to learn how to think, not to pass tests. Whatever Christians do with their lives, whether we eat or drink or run a company or teach second grade or develop software or change diapers, we aim to do it to the glory of God.
2. The most important book you’ll read this fall is your Bible. Because of all the assigned pages, you’ll be tempted to sideline your Bible reading until the next test has passed, the next paper is done, or the next break is here. Instead, treat your time in the Bible like you treat your meal plan. 
3. Someone younger than you needs you. Someone younger than you is watching you, and probably wants to be like you. Whether you choose to be or not, you will be a role model. Why not model Christ-like faith, joy, generosity, and service?
4. Comparison in the classroom can be the birthplace of pride. God opposes the proud (James 4:6).
5. Only the gospel saves anyone, even A-students. Whatever the grades may say, none of us really measures up — no, not one (Romans 3:11–12). Regardless of how hard you work this year, you will fail... “Your only hope this fall or any fall is the gospel. And that is a really, really strong place to stand and study.”