«And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying:You who destroy the temple and build it in three days save Yourself/ If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross’ (Matthew 27:39, 40).
The words «if you are the Son of God» resonated in the ears of Jesus on several occasions. «If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread» (Matt. 4:3); «If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you’ and ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone’ » (v. 6); » ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself’. . ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us’ » (Luke 23:35-39). The settings: a dry and dangerous desert where Jesus felt the keenest pains of hunger; a bloody cross, built for the outlaws, surrounded by insults and outrages. Have you noticed that the moments of doubt mainly arise in unfavorable conditions? Furthermore, many others doubted the identity of Christ because His behavior did not match their expectations (John 9:24; John 7:25-34; John 10, Matt. 27:39, 40).
We are astonished to think that, at the cross, while Christ’s identity was challenged, even His feelings were against Him. Hanging on the cross, He felt that His Father had abandoned Him and He ended up crying in agonizing pain, » ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ » (Mark 15:34).
But Jesus did not acknowledge the doubt, not even when His emotions made Him feel far away from the heavenly protection. Alone, He has «trodden the winepress» (Isa. 63:3), leaving us an example of His greatest victory. In those dreadful hours, apparently abandoned by His Father, Jesus remembered His loving Father and every proof that showed that He was His loving Son. «He was acquainted with the character of His Father; He understood His justice, His mercy, and His great love. By faith He rested in Him whom it had ever been His joy to obey. And as in submission He committed Himself to God, the sense of the loss of His Father’s favor was withdrawn. By faith, Christ was victor.» (The Desire of Ages, ch. 78, p. 756).
If doubt overwhelms your life, do what Jesus did. Gather all the evidence that you are God’s loving son. Contemplate by faith on your character which becomes clearer in the light of the Cross.
Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores: Yudith C & Magda Sanz