Darkness Came over

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

- Matthew 27:45-50

Death is brutal; capital punishment even more so. Capital punishment of an innocent, blameless person is the worst of all. This passage, highlighting Jesus’ anguished cry of feeling alone, serves as a raw reminder that Jesus fully lived and felt the mess of life as we do. Jesus’ followers and family were powerless to change his fate, and instead forced to watch an innocent loved one be killed by the state.

Reflect and journal about a time when you were powerless to avert the suffering of someone you know, or something you experienced yourself.