The Father's Silence

It’s the ninth hour. Jesus hangs from the nails. He’s struggling to breathe. Drowning in His own lung fluid. Too tired to pull or push Himself back up. The holes in His hands and feet are stretched. His shoulders and probably several of His ribs are “out of joint.” (Psalm 22:14) Dislocated. He has been punched in the face; His beard has been plucked out; He’s been beaten by rods; and three-inch acacia thorns have been shoved into His skull. The skin, muscle, and sinews of Jesus’ back, sides, and face have been ripped off by a Roman scourge. Blood drips off His toes. When Isaiah said His “visage was marred more than any man,” (Isaiah 52:14) or He was unrecognizable as a man, this is that moment. He’s also naked. Completely.

Here hangs the righteous, sinless, spotless, obedient Son of the Most High God. The One who knew no sin, who became sin for us. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Who “has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” (Isaiah 53:4) Despised, smitten, stricken, afflicted, pierced, crushed, scourged, oppressed, cut off from the land of the living, assigned a grave with wicked men, crushed by His very own Father, sent here for this very purpose. Intentionally put to grief. Knowing anguish. Pouring out His soul to death. Bearing the ages on His shoulders.

Silent as a lamb led to slaughter. But somewhere in here, Jesus cries out. Screams at the top of His lungs. Just a couple of words, but if you listen carefully, the words betray the emotion. The wound. Jesus the man is talking. “My God! My God!” Another lift. A shallow inhale. A frantic look. He screams. “Why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)

Jesus has never done a single thing wrong. Ever. He is totally obedient. In all things. And for some reason, this same Jesus has just been rejected by the Father. For the first time in His life, He is alone.

Jesus knows rejection. Deeper and more painful than any of us have ever known or experienced. “Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ ” (Matthew 27:46)

Forsaken. One word tells us all we need to know.

Here, for the first time, Jesus knows something He’s never known. And it is this “knowing” that kills Jesus. Yes, the crucifixion would have eventually done the job, but Jesus, Savior of the world, dies with a broken heart. A shattered soul. And the autopsy will show that the King dies of the deepest, most painful wound of the human soul.

Rejection.

The fluid in His lungs has reached the tipping point. Jesus has but one breath remaining. What will He do with it? He arches His back, tightens His lips, and speaks a singular word: “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.” (Matthew 27:50)

What did He say? What did He cry out? Seems like His last word would be important. Maybe we should listen. John tells us: “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘Tetelestai!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30, paraphrased)

Tetelestai.

The final word spoken on earth by the King of all kings.

Respond

Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Explain the experience.

Think about your circle of friends and family. Who in your circle needs to know Jesus?

Look for the opportunity to share with them.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for sending your Son to die on a cross to provide a way for me to live eternity in relationship with You in heaven.