HELL ON EARTH

 


People often talk about “Hell on Earth”, but I’m not sure anyone other than Jesus has ever truly experienced it.

One of the last things Jesus said before He died was, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Those words break me.

Hearing the Son of God, God himself, ask why He has been abandoned, feels so very sad.

So why would Jesus have asked that? Well, I think it is because in that moment He was truly alone.

Every day, whether we acknowledge God or not, He is there.  Walking along side us.  Wanting us to reach out and take His hand.

However, when Jesus is crying out at the end – I’m not sure that was the case.

You see we are told that sin separates us from God.  Isaiah 59:2 says,

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

And, that Hell is eternal separation from God. 

“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” - 2 Thessalonians 1:9

And finally that God continually hopes and gives us every opportunity to turn to Him.  

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9

But Jesus is not us.  He lived the perfect, sinless life – and was the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  There was nothing for Him to repent.  So, it is my theory that when all the world’s sins were heaped on His shoulders – they served to separate Jesus from God and He was TRULY alone.  Forsaken.

I believe Jesus experienced Hell on Earth.

However, WE are "lucky", for Romans 5:8 reminds us,

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

As long as we are living, we all have the opportunity to confess our sins and receive forgiveness.  My greatest hope is for the people in my life who haven’t gotten there yet...


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