“Why?” is my favorite question. Just ask the confirmation class, or anyone who has ever attended a Bible Class or two. I tell the confirmation class I want proof, not parrots. That means they have to be able to explain why the right answer is the right answer. I will not accept the right answer unless they can tell me why it is the right answer. That means they have to be able to explain “Why?”

I love the question. But this Sunday I do not like the answer.

In Psalm 22 we meet the Messiah 1,000 years before he walked the face of the earth. As the Messiah endures the agony of hell, he asks “Why?” The answer is clear. Because I am a sinner. Because you are a sinner. I don’t always like to contemplate that truth, do you? But I rejoice in it.

Why was God so far from saving Jesus as he endured hell? Because he was close to you and me in love. He took away our guilt through the life and death of Christ. That is why we want to serve Christ. That is why we want to love each other like Christ loved us. That is why each of us is to consider others as more important than ourselves. That is what our God did for us!

Yes, I don’t like the answer to Jesus’ question “Why?” No, I love it! I hope you always will too.

Psalm 22:1

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

           Why are you so far from saving me?