2 Samuel 19-20

April 7

2 Samuel 19-20

 What do we do when we feel like everyone has deserted us? Loneliness leaves an empty feeling deep in your gut. Many people follow the crowd just to keep from being left alone. David had been the hero and the most popular man in Israel, but he had also faced the dread of being left alone when the tides turned toward Absalom. After Absalom’s death, David came back to Jerusalem and many of those who had deserted David came back to him apologizing for leaving him. David forgave them and welcomed them back into his graces.  

Probably the most lonely moment in the history of humanity was the moment Jesus cried out from the cross;  "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”" (Matthew 27:46, NIV) The crowds had flocked to Him on Sunday. Thursday night into Friday morning, He was arrested, tried, whipped, spit on and nailed to a cross. Then at around three in the afternoon, with the sin of the world on his shoulders, He was separated from the presence of His Father. Completely alone.

After the resurrection, the disciples came back to him. They realized their errors and turned back to him. Like David, Jesus accepted those who had abandoned him back into the fold. We have all been there. We have all abandoned Jesus. We have all turned out backs on Him. We have all done our own thing. But time after time, Jesus invites us back into a relationship with Him. This is good news. Jesus wants a relationship with us and is willing to forgive us if we will turn from our sin our rebellion and turn to him.

But Jesus also tells us that we are to imitate Him;  "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:15, NIV) Go out and live lives as those who have been forgiven much, and forgive those who have sinned against you.