As we take the Passover each year, we consider the events of the crucifixion. As Jesus was about to die he makes a statement in Matthew 27:46 "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me" and as he was about to die he mae the last statement "it is finished." Why did Jesus speak these words? Did he not expect the events that took place that day? Do the words he spoke that day have a meaning behind them that he wanted those there then and us now to understand? In this sermon Mr. Smith shows how the statement Jesus spoke connect to Psalm 22 written a thousand years before that time. That Psalm shows the deep meaning of these words and also shows that God did not forsake Jesus as many imply is the meaning of the statement in Matthew.

Gary Smith

United Church of God Pastor

Gary Smith was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, but spent most of his youth in the Pasadena, California area. He graduated from Ambassador College in 1976 and he and his wife, Liz, moved to Peoria, Illinois. For the next six years he worked as a nursing home administrator in Illinois, Ohio, and Texas.
In 1982, he and Liz began to serve in the full-time ministry. Since that time, they have served in a number of congregations in the Midwest.
Gary and Liz now pastor in Houston, Texas near their two children and grandson.