Read: Psalm 22:1-11
In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion, the last recorded words before Jesus’ death are the opening words of today’s psalm reading: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) As Jesus prepared to breathe his final breath, He cried out in desperation to God. But, as a faithful Jew, He surely knew how the 22nd Psalm went on: “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried, and were saved” (Psalm 22:3-5a, NRSV).
Even in our most desperate moments and in our darkest hours, we have faith that our cries to God will be heard. God has delivered before, and God will deliver again. We may feel forsaken for a time, but we know that God will not be far for long.
In the Christian calendar, today is known as Holy Saturday. It is a sacred day of waiting and anticipation, as we have one final day of preparation before Easter. It is the day of “already, but not yet.” Christ has died, but has not yet risen. We know that God will come through yet again, just as God always does; we only have to wait and trust. Easter is coming soon.