Where Are You, God? — Good Friday Sermon 2026
Scripture Focus: Matthew 27:46
Preacher: Janice Ong, Christ Unite
Have you ever asked, “Where is God when I hurt?” When life seems unfair, when loved ones leave, when pain lingers and prayers feel unanswered? These are the same words Jesus spoke from the cross: “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” — “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).
This heart‑wrenching cry captures the depth of Jesus’ suffering — not just physical pain, but emotional anguish as he bore the weight of the world’s sins. In those moments it seemed even the heavens were silent. Yet God’s plan was far greater: through Jesus’ sacrifice, humanity is offered salvation and restored hope.
Jesus, though fully divine, embraced human pain. He faced rejection, betrayal, abandonment, and ultimately death. Even his closest disciples fled in fear. And still, in his suffering, Jesus fulfilled God’s redemptive purpose.
What this means for you today:
- God understands your pain — He has walked it.
- Silence does not mean absence; God is present even when unseen.
- The cross shows that suffering can have purpose and that God’s love stands firm through every trial.
- Jesus’ resurrection on the third day proves that death and despair do not have the final word.
If you are in a season of hurt, remember that God sees and knows every tear. He meets you where you are.
Let’s Pray:
“Lord, forgive me for my doubts and questions. Help me to trust You even when I don’t understand. Strengthen my faith and remind me of Your presence in every moment of suffering. Amen.”
Sermon Text
Where Are You God?
Matthew 27:46
Good Friday Sermon 2026
By Janice Ong, Christ Unite
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?"
Are you suffering? Do you question God “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Where are you when I am suffering in pain, in crisis, in wilderness? My tears day and night I am crying. Every time, I am sad. It will rain. Is it from you the rain? Is it sign of your presence? Is it your tears your sadness when you see me sad? Why don’t you help me when you know I am suffering for years? Where’s your promise provision? Where’s your promise you will come? Why do you take away my loved ones? Why there is war? Why are there suffering? Why the good suffering? Why are the good people dead? Why the evil rich keep getting rich? Where is justice? Where is hope? Why don’t you help when you see all these?“
Jesus Christ, son of God at the last minute before his death at the cross. He cried out to God the Father, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" and died.
God the Father seeing his own son suffering but did not help. Have you went through similar suffering? Your own parent seeing you suffering did not help? Do you wonder does my dad my mum love me? Why is he or she not helping me? Days, years goes by and they grow colder and colder.
Jesus throughout his life as human for 33 years, he had a hard life especially during his last 3 years in earth. God the Father sent his one and only son Jesus Christ to earth to be with his people to help them to save them.
Jesus had to suffer pain, beatings, criticism, insult from people even though he is God. He knows and feel human pain and suffering. He was a poor man not rich. He had the power to make miracles happen. Some of them include saving lives, provision of food, healing the sick as written in the Bible. He can be a rich man but choose to be poor. You can say that he was poor yet rich. Life was hard.
People thought that Jesus is the so called Messiah to save them. His disciples followers believe he can save them. But when Jesus suffered in his last days, his followers left him. When Jesus died they were sad disappointed as they thought Jesus is not the Messiah since he died.
Jesus told his disciples he will come back again but they had forgotten it.
Jesus death is for the salvation of people as living sacrifice for people and to defeat death. His resurrection on Sunday after his death on Friday proved that he is God. He has defeated death. God the Father did not forsake his son Jesus Christ. After his death, God the Father sent angels to him. The tomb was empty. Jesus had resurrected and angels appear before Mary telling her the good news. Jesus appeared a few times after his death to his disciples.
There is God.
Life might be hard now for you. God knows. His silence does not mean he is not present. He will come when it is time.
Let’s pray.
Oh God, forgive me for my doubt, my questioning. You are my God who knows me. Help me to be strong to be able to go through life whatever your plans for me.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
