Last_Words_3_03232025.docx

Devotional

Day 1: The Cry of Human Despair

In moments of deep despair, Jesus' cry from the cross, "Why have you forsaken me?" resonates with the human experience of feeling abandoned. This cry is not just a historical event but a profound expression of the human condition. It reminds us that Jesus fully understands our suffering and loneliness. His words invite us to bring our own feelings of abandonment to God, knowing that expressing our emotions is a vital part of our spiritual journey. In these moments, we are encouraged to trust that God is with us, even when we feel most alone.

Psalm 22:1-2 (ESV): "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt abandoned or alone. How can you bring those feelings to God today, trusting that He understands and is with you?

Day 2: Darkness and Light in Our Spiritual Journey

The darkness that enveloped the land during Jesus' crucifixion symbolizes the spiritual void without Him. This darkness is contrasted with the light that God introduced in Genesis and fulfilled through Jesus. Light represents divine truth and guidance, urging us to seek Christ's light in our lives. By embracing this light, we can dispel the darkness of ignorance and sin, allowing His truth to guide our paths and illuminate our spiritual journey.

Isaiah 9:2 (ESV): "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."

Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you feel spiritually dark or lost. How can you invite the light of Christ into this area today?

Day 3: The Unwavering Presence of God

The notion that God turned away from Jesus on the cross is challenged by the understanding that God's presence is constant. Even when we feel forsaken, God is with us, just as He was with Jesus. This assurance of His unwavering presence offers comfort and strength, reminding us that God's love does not waver based on our circumstances or feelings. We are invited to rest in the knowledge that God is always near, offering His love and support.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV): "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

Reflection: Recall a moment when you felt God's presence in a difficult time. How can you remind yourself of His constant presence in your current circumstances?

Day 4: Living in the Light of Christ

Living in the light of Christ is a call to action, urging us to embody His love and compassion in our daily lives. This involves addressing social and human issues around us, transforming them through the love of God and neighbor. By living out the teachings of Jesus, we become beacons of His light, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. This call challenges us to actively participate in God's work, making a tangible difference in the lives of others.

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Consider one way you can actively embody the love and compassion of Christ in your community this week. What steps will you take to make this a reality?

Day 5: The Promise of Salvation Fulfilled

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation, offering redemption to all of humanity. This act of love assures us that God has accomplished what is necessary for our reconciliation with Him. We are invited to live with gratitude and hope, knowing that through Jesus, we have been restored to a right relationship with God. This assurance calls us to share the good news of salvation with others, spreading the message of hope and redemption.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."

Reflection: Reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice for your life. How can you share the message of God's promise of salvation with someone in your life today?

Sermon Summary

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In this sermon, we explore the profound question Jesus asked on the cross, "Why have you forsaken me?" This question, rooted in Psalm 22, resonates with many of us who have felt abandoned or alone at some point in our lives. The sermon delves into the darkness that covered the land during the crucifixion, symbolizing both a physical and spiritual state of being without Jesus. It emphasizes the significance of light in our spiritual journey, drawing connections from Genesis to the prophecies of Isaiah and the teachings of Jesus. The sermon challenges the notion that God abandoned Jesus on the cross, arguing instead that Jesus' cry was an expression of human feeling rather than divine reality. It reassures us that God is always with us, even in our darkest moments, just as He was with Jesus. The sermon concludes with the reminder that Jesus' sacrifice was for all of humanity, fulfilling the promise of salvation.

Key Takeaways

1. The Cry of Abandonment: Jesus' question, "Why have you forsaken me?" reflects a deep human experience of feeling abandoned. It reminds us that even in our moments of despair, we are not alone. Jesus identifies with our suffering, and His cry is a testament to His understanding of our human condition. This teaches us that expressing our feelings to God is a part of our faith journey.
2. The Symbolism of Darkness and Light: The darkness that covered the land during the crucifixion symbolizes the spiritual state of humanity without Jesus. Light, as introduced in Genesis and fulfilled in Jesus, represents divine truth and guidance. This contrast encourages us to seek the light of Christ in our lives, allowing it to dispel the darkness of ignorance and sin.
3. The Nature of God’s Presence: The sermon challenges the idea that God turned away from Jesus on the cross. Instead, it affirms that God is always present, even when we feel forsaken. This understanding reassures us that God's presence is constant, and His love is unwavering, regardless of our circumstances or feelings.
4. Living in the Light of Christ: The call to live in the light of Christ is a call to action. It challenges us to embody the love and compassion of Jesus in our daily lives. By doing so, we address the social and human issues around us, transforming them through the love of God and neighbor, as Jesus commanded.
5. The Fulfillment of God’s Promise: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation. It is a reminder that God has accomplished what was necessary for our redemption. This assurance invites us to live with gratitude and hope, knowing that through Jesus, we have been reconciled with God and are called to share this good news with others.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**

Psalm 22:1 - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Genesis 1:2-3 - "The earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
John 8:12 - "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

**Observation Questions:**

What does Jesus' cry from the cross in Psalm 22:1 reveal about His experience at that moment?
How does the creation account in Genesis 1:2-3 illustrate the significance of light in the context of the sermon?
In John 8:12, what does Jesus mean when He refers to Himself as the "light of the world"?

**Interpretation Questions:**

How does Jesus' question, "Why have you forsaken me?" reflect the human experience of feeling abandoned, and what does it teach us about expressing our emotions to God?
What is the symbolic meaning of darkness and light in the sermon, and how does it relate to our spiritual journey?
How does the sermon challenge the idea that God turned away from Jesus on the cross, and what does this imply about God's presence in our lives?

**Application Questions:**

Reflect on a time when you felt abandoned or alone. How can Jesus' experience on the cross provide comfort and understanding in those moments?
In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing spiritual darkness? How can you seek the light of Christ to guide you through these challenges?
How can you embody the love and compassion of Jesus in your daily interactions, especially with those who may be living in darkness?
Consider the notion that God is always present, even when we feel forsaken. How can this understanding change the way you approach difficult situations?
Jesus' sacrifice fulfilled God's promise of salvation. How can you live with gratitude and hope, knowing that you have been reconciled with God?
Identify a social or human issue in your community. How can you take action to address it, embodying the love of God and neighbor as Jesus commanded?
How can you share the good news of Jesus' sacrifice and the promise of salvation with someone in your life who may not yet know it?

Sermon Quotes

"Why have you forsaken me? It’s a question Jesus asks, and a question I believe we have all asked at some point in our lives. In our faith, there is an answer to that question and a promise that comes from it."

"Darkness and light have more to do with our spiritual condition than with the weather. In darkness is how we can think theologically about our life without Jesus."

"There are many people today who are living in darkness, without the light and life of Jesus. Many Christians live in darkness with a distorted view of reality and who our neighbor is."

"If all the professing Christians of the world lived out the love of God and love of neighbor that Jesus talked about, many issues labeled as social justice problems would be seen as human being problems."

"Jesus cried out, 'My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?' It was how it felt, and how he knew we would feel as well, but it was not the reality. God was there with Jesus."

"Have you ever felt isolated and alone? Have you ever wondered where God was in a really hard time in your life? If the answer is Yes, then Jesus identifies with you. He gets you."

"On our good days and on our worst days, God is with us. When we get it right by God’s help and when we get it completely wrong because we focused on ourselves, God is with us."

"This crying out from Jesus was how it felt, but it was not the reality. God was there with Jesus. And God is here with you too."

"David ended his song by saying 'They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn—HE HAS DONE IT!' And that’s what Jesus did—he’s done it! And he did it—for you!"

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Last_Words_3_03232025.docx

Devotional

Day 1: The Cry of Human Despair

Day 2: Darkness and Light in Our Spiritual Journey

Day 3: The Unwavering Presence of God

Day 4: Living in the Light of Christ

Day 5: The Promise of Salvation Fulfilled

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Quotes

Chatbot

Last_Words_3_03232025.docx

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