“My God, My God, Why Has Thou Forsaken Me?” “My God, My God, Why Has Thou Forsaken Me?”

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Psalm 22:1

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mark 15:34

A most profound question, especially as uttered by Jesus Sadder than the wail of death, yet more beautiful than all creation Deals with the God of Heaven, the Son of man, and the scheme of redemption Examine this solemn cry of our sinless Savior

It Was a Prophetic Cry

The words of Psalm 22:1 are the same words Jesus cried from the cross

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46

The words of Psalm 22:1 are the same words Jesus cried from the cross Psalm 22 is said to contain some 33 distinct prophecies which were fulfilled at Calvary; yet, it was written by David 1000 years before Christ was born The Psalmist gives a more vivid description of Christ on the cross than do the gospel writers

At the time David wrote, crucifixion was not even known; when the gospel writers penned their words it was widely known David spoke in hyperbole; never suffered such things literally Only the Lord fulfilled these matters completely

It Was a Personal Cry

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46

In his flight from Saul, abandonment by associates and close brushes with death, David likely felt as if God had deserted him No man can realize the agony of separation within the Godhead as Christ would experience it Being Himself God (Deity, the Son- Jn. 1:1-14), He cried unto God (His Father)

I and my Father are one. John 10:30 I and my Father are one. John 10:30

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. John 20:17

It Was a Plaintive Cry

If ever one deserved compassion, it was Christ This was no ordinary human being dying on the cross

The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. John 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. John 7:46

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:17, 18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:17, 18

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

If ever one deserved compassion, it was Christ This was no ordinary human being dying on the cross This was the Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29), the Only Begotten of the Father (Jn. 3:16, 17), the Prince of life (Acts 3:15)

It Was a Perplexing Cry

Difficult to comprehend the idea of Deity being abandoned by Deity; of One being separated One Who lived a perfect life was forsaken by One Who never forsakes the righteous

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. Psalm 34:15

Difficult to comprehend the idea of Deity being abandoned by Deity; of One being separated One Who lived a perfect life was forsaken by One Who never forsakes the righteous How was it that the Son was “forsaken” by the Father?

Partly, because He did not come to His rescue After His temptation, angels ministered to Him

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matthew 4:11

Partly, because He did not come to His rescue After His temptation, angels ministered to Him At His transfiguration, Moses and Elijah spoke to Him about His death

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:30, 31 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:30, 31

Partly, because He did not come to His rescue After His temptation, angels ministered to Him At His transfiguration, Moses and Elijah spoke to Him about His death Even in Gethsemane angels strengthened Him

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. Luke 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. Luke 22:43

However, at this most pressing hour there was nothing but silence and darkness from heaven He Who knew no sin became sin for us (not a sinner, but the curse for sin)

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 5:21

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Galatians 3:13

However, at this most pressing hour there was nothing but silence and darkness from heaven He Who knew no sin became sin for us (not a sinner, but the curse for sin) He that was all-righteous was tasting death for us, experiencing what all who are separated from God will know, what it was like to be God-abandoned in the darkness

Christ was suffering the penalty of sin’s separation for us

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

Christ was suffering the penalty of sin’s separation for us As He became the sin offering for mankind, He Who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity turned His face from Him

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? Habakkuk 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? Habakkuk 1:13

Christ was suffering the penalty of sin’s separation for us As He became the sin offering for mankind, He Who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity turned His face from Him For the only time in eternity, Deity was separated

It Was a Penalizing Cry

A cry from sinless lips for sinful man

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2:21- 24

A cry from sinless lips for sinful man Jesus paid the penalty for our sins

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6

A cry from sinless lips for sinful man Jesus paid the penalty for our sins He tasted death (separation) for every man, so that man need not know it

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9

A cry from sinless lips for sinful man Jesus paid the penalty for our sins He tasted death (separation) for every man, so that man need not know it He gave His life a ransom for all

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

It Was a Painful Cry

Could never fully consider the cross without considering the pain that accompanied it Jesus was taunted, ridiculed, shamefully treated He was beaten by both Jews and Romans He suffered tremendously even before the crucifixion itself

He was nailed to a rough cross and suffered a painful, humiliating death between two common thieves All this in addition to His being forsaken by His Father He came into the world knowing this was to be His end

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Hebrews 10:4, 5 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Hebrews 10:4, 5

It Was a Priceless Cry

Reveals the priceless debt He paid for us

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. I Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. I Corinthians 6:20

Reveals the priceless debt He paid for us Reveals the priceless aspect of the church He purchased

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25

Reveals the priceless debt He paid for us Reveals the priceless aspect of the church He purchased Reveals the priceless nature of the human soul

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, I Peter 1: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, I Peter 1:18- 20

Reveals the priceless debt He paid for us Reveals the priceless aspect of the church He purchased Reveals the priceless nature of the human soul Reveals the lengths to which God was willing to go to redeem mankind

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. II Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. II Corinthians 9:15

Calvary’s cry, “My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken me,” was: A Prophetic Cry A Personal Cry A Plaintive Cry A Perplexing Cry A Penalizing Cry A Painful Cry A Priceless Cry

Sources -Dan Bailey, “Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?;” When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Clifford Newell, ed.), Exploring the Psalms, John Phillips