Thoughts for another day

May 15, 2012

Today's verse: Mk. 15:34. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

On the Cross, Jesus' body was wracked in pain and untold suffering; the scourging, the walking with the Cross up Mount Calvary, the nails mercilessly driven through His palms and the excruciating pain of holding the weight of His body on the nails and the sharp blinding sun contributed to what could be the zenith of pain for a human.  Each breath was a test of His endurance of pain and every heave of His arms or head, set about an agonizing experience.  But above all Jesus sensed the absence of the Presence of His Father.  In His most tormenting moment Jesus missed His Presence so much that He cried in anguish the Word of our Scripture.   It's amazing isn't it, to know that The Son of God who had such communion with His Father, never felt His comfort in the moments He needed it most.  But don't forget, it was because of you and me that the Father had to turn His Face from His Son, who had become sin for us!

We too at times, require God's Presence so desperately, for life comes to devour us and darkness is a shroud of fear and torment; yet we don't feel God's Presence.  We may cry out but He isn't there and our grief becomes stronger and our tears fall faster.  God allows us to be tried this way for He wants us to learn and be strong.  Yes, He allows it for it is for our own good and a process by which our journey into heaven is a bit easier. 

In this vein, I'll talk to you of a woman I learnt of recently, Joni Eareckson Tada.  A person so touched by pain, it's amazing.  She had a diving accident when 17 and has been a quadriplegic not able to use her hands and operating from a wheel chair.  In 2010 she was also diagnosed of breast cancer and has undergone mastectomy.  Joni, as you might have guessed, has experienced pain first hand – intense, excruciating and ceaseless … chilling, if I may say.  A look at Joni and you'll be shocked to find her spirits so high.  She too, I'm sure, confronted God with the same question of His Presence or rather lack of it.  But now she understands.  When she speaks of pain, she speaks of its acceptance as that from God and she says, 'at times I've thought, "Lord, this is an awful lot to bear. Are you sure you know what you're doing?" And yet, I know the answer.'  She has clearly understood that suffering for the Kingdom is far better gain eventually.  

My message goes to all those who are suffering out there, their bodies wracked with pain, thinking when death in its icy throes will provide relief.  But then, look up to Christ as Joni did and in the Word of the Scripture today, you'll find solace.  I ask myself, if the Son of God felt pain the way He did, even the pain of not feeling the Presence of His Father, how much will He give us solace who believe in His Name and walk in His ways.