On the cross the bitter cry rang from the lips of the Lord Jesus: My God, My God, WHY hast Thou forsaken Me?
Unanswered by God during those three hours on the cross, it is answered by thousands today and will be answered eternally by millions of redeemed ones surrounding the Savior in glory. Why was He, the holy, harmless, undefiled One, forsaken? Why was He, the One who did always the things that pleased God, His Father, abandoned?
Believers can answer: "It was for us." He, Himself, bare our sins in His own body on the tree. He who knew no sin was made sinfor us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
WHY ARE YE TROUBLED?
Christ is risen—the death of the cross is accomplished—the victory won—redemption obtained—God glorified, and the risen Savior comes into the midst of his loved ones and announces: Peace!
Why are you troubled? Is it on account of your sins? Well might terror fill your mind were there no Savior, had no payment acceptable to God been made. But there is a Savior; there is a sacrifice. He who was under the weight of sins on the cross is the risen, glorified Savior now saying to the believer: I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?
From heaven where the risen Christ now is, he asked Saul of Tarsus, Why persecutest thou Me? Saul was on his way to Damascus to find any who believed in Christ and to bring them bound to Jerusalem. A light from heaven suddenly shone on him, and Saul fell to the earth. On his astonished ears the question fell: Why persecutest thou Me?
Think of it! A Savior in heaven calling to one who called himself the "chief" of sinners! What wonderful grace!
Saul's enmity was vanquished, and the once-bitter adversary of Christians became the bravest champion of the faith.
The grace that saved a Saul can save you. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
WHY WILL YE DIE?
Long ago the nation of Israel was asked, Why will ye die? Why would they hurry on to their deaths? Jehovah was ready to forgive, ready to help, ready to bless, but they "would not," and the judgment fell.
Why will you die? God asks of you today. In view of Christ in death—in view of Christ in resurrection—in view of Christ in glory—Why will you die?
Christ in dying asked, why?
Christ in resurrection asked, why?
Christ from glory asked, why?
Christ today asks, why?
He asked God, why?
He asked His disciples, why?
He asked Saul of Tarsus, why?
He asks you, why?