"Abandoned”

     Only one human being has ever descended into the depths of complete and utter aloneness.

     "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46).

     Even the most unbelieving and godless among us, in their most unbelieving and godless moments, nevertheless "live and move and have their being" in God (Acts17:28). He is “not far from every one of us” declared the apostle Paul to the unbelieving Athenians Acts17:25-28).

    Thus, we live in a proximity to God - whether desired or not, that means we can never be abjectly alone.  On the cross of Calvary, however, the soul of the Lord Jesus entered into a dark place of forsakenness unknown by all others.  The wrath of God against sin required that the Bearer of our iniquities experience the horror of being abandoned by the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Our Savior had to die alone in order to make full atonement for our sins.  This He did in a sacrifice of far greater substance and measure than we will ever know. Indeed, no one ever knew lonely like the Lord Jesus knew lonely.  Moreover, He experienced such loss against the backdrop of a perfect relationship with His Father before the incarnation, and the closest possible God to man bond known during His earthly life.

    Perhaps more than any other discomfort, the Lord Jesus knows now to apply balm to the lonesome heart.  He’s been there, and He came forth from His sorrow “anointed with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows” (Hebrews1:9).  As the Psalmist prophesied, God the Father raised His Son in resurrection and joyful reunion:

    “Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm16:11).      This we must believe about our wondrous Redeemer, first for loving and worshipful appreciation, and then for the availing of ourselves to His marvelous ability to comfort us in times of loneliness.  Again, no one ever knew lonely like the Lord Jesus knew lonely. And no one can be the true Companion of our hearts like the One once abandoned so that we will never, ever be alone.

“I am with you always.”(Matthew 28:20)