Mark 15:34 "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
To me this is the most heart wrenching of the seven statements made by Jesus on the cross. It shows us the agony experienced by Jesus as he bore the sins of the world. For the first and only time, Jesus is experiencing a separation from his Father. Since eternity past Jesus and the Father had been in perfect fellowship with one another. Now as a result of bearing man’s sin, Jesus is in a dark places where he feels forsaken by God (notice that Jesus uses the title of “God” rather than “Father”, as he did throughout the gospels. Their relationship has become much less personal at this point). What horror must have gripped his soul in that moment.
In life we experience times when God feels distant and possibly where we feel forsaken. In these moments a few thoughts can help us to overcome…1) Jesus understands what you’re going through. Jesus experienced the same type of pain you are experiencing. He can empathize with what you’re going through. You can go to him in that moment and he will comfort you. 2) Jesus was forsaken so that you wouldn’t be. Though we may at times feel forsaken, the scriptures assure us that is never the case (Hebrews 13:5). God is with you even in your darkest moments. 3) God was doing his greatest work during this darkest moment. If you read down a few more verses (Mark 15:38) you’ll notice that the veil in the temple is torn in two at the moment of Jesus’ death. This is not insignificant. The tearing of the temple shows that mankind now has access to God through the death of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19-23). Victory emerges from the veil of darkness. In your dark moments never forget God is at work in and around you. In the world we will have tribulation but he has overcome the world (John 16:33)