Misunderstood Love: Reflecting on the words Jesus spoke from the cross.
Matthew 27:45-46 King James Version (KJV) “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Misunderstood love transcends fatherhood. It's a part of all human love experiences.
A parent's love, certainly has its share of misunderstanding. It is a rollercoaster of emotions, with highs, lows, sharp curves and loops.
I have preached a few sermons relating to the emotional side of being alone or forsaken, but never on the emotional side of a father hearing their child crying out “Dad! Where are you? Why have you abandoned me?"
GOD heard this from the cross. Like us, as parents having heard crushing words uttered from our children.
I can now envision GOD's fatherly reaction at that very moment in time, when Jesus uttered those words. Although, being a brief moment, it was still a moment that His love was questioned.
If only our children could see the amount of love flowing at that very moment of hearing them crying out. They would see our deepest desire to rapture them, and hold them safely in our arms. But, love must also have the strength to refrain itself, to allow a greater purpose to unfold.
GOD'S love had to refrain itself and suffer a momentary misunderstanding of His actions toward his son, only to reveal three days later, his love never ceased.
Fatherhood, can not be measured only in brief moments, or snap shots. Fatherhood must be measured on one's total body of love toward our children.
It is my Father's Day prayer, that all loving and caring fathers stay strong. Praying we continue to trust in love’s power, although misunderstood briefly, will reveal our relentless love in time. Keeping our faith in this one hope; when all things unfold, our children will know we never ceased loving them.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Sincerely,
Pastor Royce L Tillman