He has been there too

At midday the whole country was covered in darkness, which lasted for three hours. At about three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why did you abandon me?’

Some of the people standing there heard him and said, ‘He is calling for Elijah!’ One of them ran up at once, took a sponge, soaked it in cheap wine, put it on the end of a stick, and tried to make him drink it. (verses 45-48)

Read Matthew 27:45-54

Remember the worst day of your life. The day of a death, of sorrow, of indescribable sadness. The day you cried out, ‘Why God? Why me?’ The time you doubted that God was there or you felt that, if he was, he was too distant and did not heed your cries.

Then think again. Jesus was there before you. He knows utter despair. He knows how it feels to cry from the heart, ‘My God, my God, why did you abandon me?’ Truly human. True God. He overcame his despair, transcended it, and now is in a position to help you through your anguish too. It is comforting to know that Jesus does understand and will never let you bear a burden alone. Even in your darkest moments he is there, despite your fear that he is not. He has promised, ‘I will be with you always to the end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20b), and this promise is your light to guide you through the dark.

Be with me, Jesus, when times are bad, for I know you understand my pain and will lead me through my darkest hours. Amen.

by Kathy Hoopman, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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