Last Words: “My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
We continue our Lenten worship series, “Last Words,” as Pastor Ken explores Jesus’ haunting cry from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This third message of the series draws from both Matthew’s and Mark’s gospels as we examine how Jesus’ experience of abandonment connects with our own spiritual “dark nights.” We also look at the example of Mother Teresa’s experience of a decades-long spiritual emptiness as a model for learning how God remains present in our darkest moments. You’ll learn how these “last words” from the cross connect to themes of resurrection and hope and challenge us to follow Christ’s example of sacrificial love even when it’s inconvenient or difficult.
Sermon Reflections:
- When have you experienced a “dark night” or feeling of abandonment in your own spiritual journey? How did you respond to that feeling?
- Jesus cried out loudly so everyone could hear his words of abandonment. Why do you think it was important for him to make this cry public rather than keeping it private?
- Jesus’ cry was a quote of Psalm 22, which begins with abandonment but ends with resurrection and hope. How might remembering “the whole psalm” help us during our own difficult times?
- Mother Teresa experienced decades of spiritual emptiness yet continued her ministry. What can we learn from her example about faith during times when we don’t feel God’s presence?
- Pastor Ken challenges us: Are we “willing to be inconvenienced or make a sacrifice so that others might know the love of God?” What specific sacrifice might God be calling you to make in this season?
- How does knowing that Jesus experienced feelings of abandonment change how you approach God during your own moments of doubt or despair?