Aspects V: Desolate Olive Tree
- Lisa Livezey
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? —Psalm 22:1 NRSV
In the Garden of Gethsemene, Jesus went off alone so he could express His deepest feelings to His Father. Why did God not "take the cup" from Jesus?
Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Why did God let one of the Lord's followers turn on Him?
In the high priest's courtyard, one of Jesus’ most ardent followers denied ever knowing Him — three times. Why did Peter fail his Lord?
The following day while writhing on the cross, Jesus cried out again to God, "Why have You forsaken me?" Why did God forsake Him?
Suffering flies in the face of human understanding. The big WHY of pain, betrayal, denial, and silence will not be answered this side of eternity. Yet because of what Jesus endured, He understands our suffering and accompanies us closely in our own place of abandonment.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, You entered into the deepest human desolation. Thank you that you don't leave me alone in mine. When I feel forsaken, let me find You waiting for me.
Quote
Blessed is He, who came into the world for no other purpose than to suffer. —St. Teresa of Avila* ( 1515-1582)
Thought
Jesus Himself brings comfort, a response amidst the unanswered "why."
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*The Collected Letters of St. Teresa of Avila, Vol. 2 (Translated by the Benedictines of Stanbrook London: Thomas Baker, 1921)
I've been working hard, and Lord willing beginning next week, your deeper devotional experience using PRISM™ Visio Divina will be live! I created an opportunity for a few people to test it. If interested in helping in this way, contact me, and I'll be in touch with the next step. (It will take 5 minutes to view the devotion and a couple more minutes to send me a sentence or two of feedback.)
In this episode of Open Doors Podcast, I share my friend Maureen's amazing answer to prayer. Listen in to hear examples from the life of the late, great Elisabeth Elliot.
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