In one of Jesus’ statements on the cross, he cried out asking why God had forsaken him. The word he used, “forsake”, has an interesting usage and contrast in the rest of the New Testament. This is the only time the word is used in reference to God forsaking someone. All the other references refer to either men forsaking someone, as in Demas forsaking Paul or the promise that God will never forsake us. In other words, as the Gospel shows, Jesus endured being forsaken by God which is something that will never happen to those who follow him. Other men may forsake us for a variety of reasons; in the case of Demas it seems that he was afraid of being persecuted with Paul, but God will remain always with us. Prior to Jesus’ death his followers abandoned him when he was seized in the Garden, but what his followers did to Jesus, he will never do to his followers.
While fear drove his followers to abandon him, Jesus both in the Garden and on the cross conquered all fear. He offers this same type of victory to those who will trust and follow him. We may experience abandonment by friends and family, but because we will never be abandoned by Jesus, we need not succumb to fear in those situations. Yes, we may experience hurt, frustration and grief at the loss of friends and family because of their abandonment of us, but we need not fear of what might happen or what the future may hold. This can give us confidence while we process the other emotions we experience.
David Freitag 