Even doubts assailed the dying Son of God. He could not see through the
portals of the tomb. Bright hope did not present to Him His coming
forth from the tomb a conqueror and His Father's acceptance of His
sacrifice. The sin of the world, with all its terribleness, was felt to
the utmost by the Son of God. The displeasure of the Father for sin,
and its penalty, which is death, were all that He could realize through
this amazing darkness. He was tempted to fear that sin was so offensive
in the sight of His Father that He could not be reconciled to His Son.
The fierce temptation that His own Father had forever left Him caused
that piercing cry from the cross: "My God, My God, why hast Thou
forsaken Me?"
Christ felt much as sinners will feel when the vials of God's wrath
shall be poured out upon them. Black despair, like the pall of death,
will gather about their guilty souls, and then they will realize to the
fullest extent the sinfulness of sin. Salvation has been purchased for
them by the suffering and death of the Son of God. It might be theirs,
if they would accept of it willingly, gladly; but none are compelled to
yield obedience to the law of God. If they refuse the heavenly benefit
and choose the pleasures and deceitfulness of sin, they have their
choice, and at the end receive their wages, which is the wrath of God
and eternal death. They will be forever separated from the presence of
Jesus, whose sacrifice they had despised. They will have lost a life of
happiness and sacrificed eternal glory for the pleasures of sin for a
season.
Faith and hope trembled in the expiring agonies of Christ because God
had removed the assurance He had heretofore given His beloved Son of His
approbation and acceptance. The Redeemer of the world then relied upon
the evidences which had hitherto strengthened Him, that His Father
accepted His labors and was pleased with His work. In His dying agony,
as He yields up His precious life, He has by faith alone to trust in Him
whom it has ever been His joy to obey. He is not cheered with clear,
bright rays of hope on the right hand nor on the left. All is
enshrouded in oppressive gloom. Amid the awful darkness which is felt
by sympathizing nature, the Redeemer drains the mysterious cup even to
its dregs. Denied even bright hope and confidence in the triumph which
will be His in the future, He cries with a loud voice: "Father, into Thy
hands I commend My spirit." He is acquainted with the character of His
Father, with His justice, His mercy, and His great love, and in
submission He drops into His hands. Amid the convulsions of nature are
heard by the amazed spectators the dying words of the Man of Calvary.
-- Testimonies for the Church Volume Two, page 209