This post will feature some videos and make a reference to Jesus on the cross, saying, ''My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?''
Both suffering and this line are misconceived.
One could say, how is Jesus 'god' when He says this? Why would the One True God say such things to seemingly another? Or to Himself?
One can also understand it as simply, Jesus never claimed to be God, or Allah, and this is proof as say the naysayers, and namely the Moslems.
One who denies a God who is active in the world, a Living God, would say, why is there suffering to begin with. Why would anyone feel forsaken by a Living God of love if He existed, much less one who claims to be him. Why does anyone suffer?
All legitimate propositions, but only when not seen in the right light.
The quote of Jesus is actually found in Psalm 22. One can say Jesus is praying. But there is more! And there is also a video:
So why would Jesus recite this prayer and in that way?
First, it is how the Jews of His day referred to a passage in scripture, by the first verse. At the time, the BOOK CHAPTER: VERSE method was not used, it did not yet exist. So the Jews of the day would go to the scribes and ask to read them by the first verse, it was a way to identify the passage without numerical chapters and verses assigned.
Kind of like quoting a book today, we wouldn't necessarily say the first line of a chapter, but we wouldn't use verse numbers either. The system was different in those times.
Second, and more pointedly, it is a Messianic prayer:
''They pierced my hands and my feet... They divide my garments among them,
And for my clothing they cast lots.''
Interesting to say that the hands and feet were pierced when this passage is older than crucifixion itself!
http://carm.org/questions/about-jesus/why-did-jesus-cry-out-my-god-my-god-why-have-you-forsaken-me
So, now you know Jesus was not claiming to be forsaken by God or the Father, so then what does this line in the passage mean? Is it even one of despair?
Benedict explains why it is not one of despair.
Okay! So that would be the explanations why Jesus was not actually forsaken.
Then, if one knows his or her Bible, one can try to circumvent this revelation by pointing out that Jesus suffered in Gethsemane (''Agony in the Garden'').
This too shall be answered, as we are discussing both suffering and Jesus's suffering and how to make sense of our own suffering and that of a God. Jesus is typically understood be feeling a sense of loss at the knowing of the Passion to come and of the loss during His Passion.
When does Jesus go to the garden? The Bible is clear, after the third cup and before the fourth. What is this third and fourth cup? Jewish tradition at passover, and each cup represents something:
Brant Pitre from the Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans explains all:
http://www.brantpitre.com/documents/printable_outlines/fourth_cup.pdf
Once again, Ladies and Gentlemen, He is praying, and again fulfilling the prayer actively !!
FOURTH CUP
What shall I render to the LORD for all his bounty to me?
I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD
... Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his holy ones.
O LORD, I am your servant I am your servant the son of your handmaid
. You have loosed my bonds; I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
, and call on the name of the LORD. (Psalm 116:12,13, 15-17)
Out of my distress I called to the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free...
I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of the LORD. The LORD has chastened me sorely, but he has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation
.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:5, 17-22)
Jesus truly suffering in despair? Think again! Everything done was intentional.
Okay! So of course Jesus feels human emotion, and He can be broken hearted, as the Father can just as well. But Jesus was on a mission, knew His mission, knew what was said about the mission, so He obliged.
What about us?!
What about human suffering then? How could a Loving God allow for suffering to start with?
Well, the best answer to this is, what is God to us if we do not suffer? How would we ever know that there is more to this world if we do not know to look for something more? That is to say, if everything was nice and wonderful, how would we ever think of thinking that we weren't already in Heaven, in a sacred place?
Suffering and pain is God's CRY, saying you are not alone, there is more to you. In order for you to realize this you must feel loneliness, anguish, suffering in your soul so you know that there is one who can heal you. One must be sick before healed, one must be lonely before comforted.
It's no wonder in a culture, which seeks to take away all suffering and blames religions for most of the suffering and affliction, is not hearing the cry. With no God, one will never make sense of suffering. Suffering will always hunt us, if we live in the 'feel good' society, where do we turn when we find out that this way of life is not true? We can not always feel good, we will suffer. In religion, especially Christianity, we acknowledge suffering, we work within it, and not against it.
There is only one way to be happy, not by a 'feel good' culture, but by one at peace with the very existence of existence itself. And in our existence and experience of pain, we hear a cry from God, saying 'I am here, You have nothing to fear.'
Is this not God's message? I love you! so fear not! Love me and you will find true happiness.
God wants us to love Him, and know that this world is not the end. This world is not Heaven, and therefore we ache, and sometimes greatly. But remember His mercy! His mercy and love is so great He also came down to suffer with us. He suffered tremendous suffering in His Passion, by the wounds and blood, by the rejection of His people, and through the agony of those crying for Him.
Why does God let us suffer? Well, He allowed Himself to suffer.
Who are we to curse a God who has also suffered? Who knows human suffering in the flesh?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJUJpWI4xDk&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DgJUJpWI4xDk&app=desktop
JESUS' LAST SEVEN WORDS
http://www.mycatholiccds.com/seven-last-sayings-of-jesus.php
