FORSAKEN
By: Ralph Thoren July 17, 2021
Wow, what a word! To abandon, to leave, to desert. Lots of emptiness here. Ouch, double ouch and more, much, much more.
Over the last couple of years, I have been fortunate enough for my spirituality to grow to a new level. With the time available from Covid, the motivation from education and our local meeting place (The Vineyard Church, Big Pine, Florida), lots and lots of private study in “The Word” and prayer. This new level has been a very personal and intimate relationship with “The Holy Spirit”. The “Spirit” has become my “go to” best friend for love, support, advice and most everything. Obviously more than just best friend. After all this is the “spirit” of My Lord and Savior.
During the past week and for the first time in this journey, the “Spirit” abandoned me. I was lost and genuinely concerned.
I simply could not feel the presence nor find “The Holy Spirit” in prayer, thoughts, reading etc. For those of you who wonder about if there is an active, working, loving “holy Spirit”. Find “The Lord” and all those questions will be answered when you are Forsaken.
What had I done to deserve this?, I’ve been trying to follow “the rules” and Gods word. What What What”?
And it came to me. During our Bible Study session on past Monday. We had a new member. A cool kind of fella, newly in the fold and just trying to find answers on how to live right in this world. I really liked him. In our discussion, we were talking about ways of communication with “the Spirit” . Trying to be “cool” as well, I made a flippant remark about “The Holy Spirit.” The remark had to do with helping give advice on worldly matters. This remark was not negative and would have been considered a compliment by most men. But the Holy Spirit is not a man. The Holy Spirit is God, and we are to love God with our whole heart. We are to show reverence and honor to God in all things. The remark I made would probably have honored a man, but certainly not “My Lord and Savior”.
Prayer, repentance, more prayer, more repentance, Forgiveness. Yes, my Lord is back with me, and I humbly thank him for this journey and lesson. This is how the word FORSAKEN came up, so now, The rest of the story.
While reviewing the empty feelings I felt during this lesson, The Lord reminded me of his journey on the cross. Let us re-examine.
And Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46, KJV).
Yeshua, (Jesus) was raised as a special man of God. God, through the Holy Spirit had been in his life as a child, teenager, and adult all the time. He was in communication with “Ruach ha’ Kodesh” (The Holy Spirit) most all of the time. He was frequently off on his own, in prayer and consultation with “The Holy Spirit”.
It is my opinion that Jesus was of complete understanding of his mission and his quest. He knew he was going to the cross.
I believe he (as a man) assumed The Holy Spirit would be going to “The Cross” with him. The Bible tells us that The Holy Spirit descended as (a dove) at Jesus’ baptism. While fasting for 40 days in the wilderness, The Holy Spirit journeyed with Jesus and ministered to him.
Would not it be reasonable for Jesus (as a man) to assume The Holy Spirit would be on the Cross with him, to help in this most difficult task.
However, while nailed to a tree through his hands and feet. After being beaten and whipped so severely that he could not even carry his Cross. With a crown of thorns shoved into his head. With lacerations in his sides from spears. With locals mocking him in his anguish and Roman soldiers gambling for his only possession (clothing). With all this and much more pain and humiliation. When he needed God the very most. When he counted on God to be with him. He was Gone.
“My God, My God, why have you Forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46, KJV).
Now, just let that settle in.
Sometimes we think we feel all alone. Sometimes we think a loved one just does not respond well enough. How about a parent or a child? What about a Wife or Husband? Even a close friend can abandon you. No one knows the feeling of “Forsaken” more than our Lord Jesus. Let us remember that and call on our Lord when in need.
As to the question “Why did God forsake Jesus on the Cross?” A good question. Think about righteousness and God. Think about what Jesus (a perfectly sinless man) was doing on “The Cross” . Prayer and research and that answer will come to you. The important point is this. God did Forsake Jesus, he was gone to “the man” Jesus, however he still had his eye on the picture, he was still in the background ready and willing to share his love with Jesus as soon as possible. The story of Easter tells us this is so.
If we ever feel Forsaken, remember Our Lord is still in the background, he still has his eye on us and his love will shine through as soon as we allow it and ask for it.
Repent, learn Love