Photo Credit: Savit Keawtavee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
This is day five of the 30 day challenge! I have felt compelled to write about the seven words or sayings that Jesus said on the cross. In the midst of the most difficult moment he would ever face, he took a moment to address issues such as forgiveness, salvation, care, and today we will cover the fourth of the sayings which addresses loneliness.
Loneliness is a state of mind. You can be in a crowd of thousands and still feeling lonely. Jesus was 100% man and 100% God at the same time and yet still felt lonely while here on Earth. The Bible describes the situation in the Gospel of Mark 15:33-34.
At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ”Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachtani? which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Even on the cross Jesus kept his devotion. The ninth hour was the hour of prayer. At this hour he decided to let God the Father know that he felt lonely. Jesus no longer felt that he and the Father were one for that moment. Theologians have referenced that in this particular moment the sin of the world was on his shoulders and the Father had to separate himself from the Son.
Loneliness causes people to become depressed, experience anxiety, and suffer severe health problems that could end in death. Jesus gives us the best advice when experiencing his own hardships. He himself cried out to God the Father.
In the loneliest of moments, we should also cry out to God. I know firsthand that he does listen to the prayers of his people. Hopefully at this point in life you are feeling loved and your relationships are in tact. However, if that is not the case for you, then today do as Jesus did and cry out to the Father.
Question:
How do you overcome loneliness?
Jonathan is the author and founder of ConsiderUp.com. He is a husband, a father, and a pastor. He loves Jesus, his family, writing, and playing golf.
Jonathan is proud to serve alongside his wife Sileni as associate pastors at Bethesda Church in Clermont, Florida. For over 13 years he has been heavily involved in ministry and church leadership preaching a message of grace and restoration.
