When Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), it was not Jesus’ imagination that the Father forsook Him, as some people teach. No, at that moment of separation, the sin of humanity rained on Jesus like a funnel cloud, so much so that Jesus experienced hell itself. This moment of desertion was the moment when our sin was heaped upon His holy, sinless body, and for the first time ever, Jesus looked up into heaven and saw His Father as a judge. That is why He did not call Him Abba, He called Him Eloi—my God. He saw God the sovereign, God the judge, God the awesome one.

From cover to cover, the Bible tells us that on the cross Jesus took upon Himself the judgment of everyone who would believe in Him, everyone who would follow Him, everyone who would obey Him. Every human being who has ever lived and will ever live is going to face the judgment of God. Those who will receive forgiveness are only those who have accepted the fact that Jesus took their judgment upon Himself in His body on the cross.

Our Lord Jesus Christ not only bore our sin, He actually became sin. He was never a sinner, but He became sin so that He could save everyone who would come to Him and say, “Forgive me.” He died in darkness so that we may live in light. He died in silence so that we may forever have a word from the Lord. He died forsaken so that we may be accepted. He died rejected so that we may be received.

Take time to reflect on the sacrifice Christ made for your salvation.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for bearing my sin on the cross. Thank You for Your sacrifice. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“. . . just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Love Gives, Part 2: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.



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