"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (20)

"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (20)

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.(15:37)

So far we have had the 19th meditation on “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” We have studied enough meditations on this particular subject that we could stop here. I am convinced that it would be a better idea if we conclude this particular subject with Paul’s confession that I quoted in the last part of the foregoing meditation.

The phrases “height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation” reflect all the trials and suffering that we have to go through in this world. In most cases, money and power enslave us and eventually destroy our lives. How often do we encounter with unwholesome incidents in our daily life. When we face such unavoidable stark realities of life, we are bound to get discouragement and disappointment that lead us to unstoppable despair. To worsen, we even begin to lose our trust in God.

However, Paul says in any case, nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God. We can find and experience this love in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is not a romantic love. Love is basically the power of life. It is the power of creation and the power of completion of creation. It is also the resource of resurrection.

Is the utterance of Jesus on the cross a cry of his love? Is it not incredible? His cry is impossible without an absolute trust in God. Based on this trust, Jesus could accept his death on the cross. Jesus obeyed God even to the point of throwing himself into the desperate situation of being forsaken by God. That cross is the mark love. It is so paradoxical but the capability of enduring the pain of abandonment from God is the power of love. Because of Jesus’ unfathomable love, we could experience God’s love even when living in this futile world. Because of his love we can praise God in the midst of this life process. Amen.