Chalke Talk 38: The Cross and the Pain of Loss

When we remember Jesus’ words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” we usually immediately think of the fact the Jesus was punished on the cross for our sins. Images of the "father turning his face away" or God’s wrath being satisfied in one of the most painful forms of execution are all too common. But, in this week’s episode of Chalke Talk, Steve encourages everyone to avoid these kinds of conclusions.

Steve reflects on his own experience of walking through the grief of friends who had lost their son in a tragic vehicle accident. The famous cry, again, of “My God, why have you forsaken me?” took on a new meaning. Steve directs us to Psalm 22, a raw and honest poem, which is what Jesus is referencing at this moment. But the ending of the song, which we often forget, is “I will declare [his] name to my people . . . for he has NOT despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” This is important because, despite the excruciating pain and feelings of abonnement, Jesus chooses to acknowledge that still there is no separation between us and God’s unconditional love.

So what do you think?  How does it change the way we live our lives knowing that it’s God’s unerring love, not his wrath, is the cornerstone of our faith?

And, if so, how should we tell the story of that cross?