Jesus’ cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is found in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34. This phrase is the opening line of Psalm 22, a prophetic psalm written by King David about 1,000 years before Christ. By quoting this psalm while on the cross, Jesus was drawing a connection between himself and the suffering described by David.
The context leading up to this cry is that Jesus has been illegally arrested, falsely accused, brutally beaten, and unjustly sentenced to death by crucifixion. After being nailed to the cross at 9am, darkness fell over the land from noon until 3pm (Matthew 27:45). Then Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Before breathing his last breath.
The key aspects of Jesus’ cry on the cross teach us several things:
1. Jesus was fulfilling Messianic prophecy.
Psalm 22 opens with, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” proceeding to describe the agony and mocking of a righteous sufferer. Jesus quoted this psalm to emphasize how he was fulfilling this Scripture. As verse 16 describes, “they have pierced my hands and feet.”
2. Jesus was bearing the sin of the world.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Though Jesus was perfect and sinless, at the cross God the Father placed our sin on Christ. This caused a temporary break in fellowship between the Father and Son as Jesus bore the full wrath deserved for sin.
3. Jesus was experiencing human pain.
By quoting Psalm 22, Jesus expresses the deep agony and pain he was experiencing on the cross. This shows Jesus can relate to all of our human suffering, since he himself suffered. The author of Hebrews writes that Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses since he “in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
4. Jesus remained submitted to God’s will.
Despite being forsaken by the Father and feeling abandoned, Jesus still cried out “My God, my God.” He did not turn away, but trusted all things were happening according to God’s perfect plan. Luke 23:46 tells how with his final breath Jesus committed his spirit into his Father’s hands, willingly giving his life according to God’s divine purpose.
In summary, Jesus’ cry “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” from Psalm 22 affirms his messianic mission, his position as sin-bearer, his shared humanity, and his ultimate submission to God’s will. This statement provides deep insight into Christ’s suffering on our behalf on the cross.
So why did Jesus say this specifically? Here are some key reasons:
1. To fulfill Old Testament prophecy.
By quoting Psalm 22:1 on the cross, Jesus was pointing directly to the Messianic prophecies written there. This psalm predicted the sufferings of the coming Messiah, hundreds of years before crucifixion was even invented as a form of execution. Jesus purposefully quoted this psalm to emphasize the fulfillment of Scripture taking place through his death.
2. To acknowledge his feelings of abandonment.
As Jesus bore the sins of the world, He experienced the abandonment from God that should have been ours. The Father turned away from the Son as he took our place on the cross. By crying out “Why have you forsaken me?” Jesus expressed the excruciating sorrow and separation from God that sin causes.
3. To teach that he bore God’s wrath.
On the cross, Jesus took the full divine wrath deserved for human sin. God’s face was turned away as all judgment for sin was poured out on Christ. This caused Jesus to painfully experience a temporary break in fellowship with the Father so that sinners could be forgiven and reconciled to God.
4. To reveal his humanity.
By publicly crying out in agony, Jesus demonstrated the fully human experience of lament and sorrow. This reveals that though Jesus was God, he had also taken on the full essence of vulnerable humanity as well. He knows firsthand the depth of human suffering and pain.
5. To proclaim the Gospel.
Jesus purposefully quoted Psalm 22, letting the full context of that passage point to his identity as the promised Messiah. These verses prophesy the suffering and mockery Jesus endured, followed by the ultimate triumph of the resurrection. Jesus proclaimed the Gospel through his cry of anguish.
Additionally, here are some other important theological insights that can be gained from Jesus’ saying “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”:
– It emphasizes the cost of our salvation – Christ had to be cut off from the Father as he took the punishment we deserved.
– It shows that even humanly Jesus felt abandoned – this reveals his fully human nature and experience of suffering.
– It fulfills the Passover symbolism – the Passover lamb was sacrificed so the judgment of God would “pass over” sinners.
– It offers hope to believers who feel abandoned – Jesus understands firsthand the painful feelings of God forsaking and can comfort us in our troubles.
– It teaches obedience amid confusion – even when Jesus didn’t understand why God had forsaken him, he still clung to faith and yielded his will to the Father.
– It displays Jesus still addressing God the Father – Jesus did not become sinful Himself but remained the perfect Son even as human sin was laid on him.
– It shows Jesus as the new covenant mediator – with his death, Jesus secured the promises and blessings of the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah.
– It presents Jesus as the ultimate righteous sufferer – though completely innocent, he willing suffered rejection, violence, mockery, and death on our behalf.
So in summary, Jesus cried “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” to express his anguish on the cross, fulfill Scripture, and proclaim the Gospel. This powerful statement teaches us much about Christ’s suffering for sinners and the meaning of his sacrificial death on our behalf.
Moving forward, here is an in-depth look at the meaning and significance of Jesus’ words on the cross:
The Context of Christ’s Statement
Jesus uttered these agonizing words while being crucified at Golgotha, the Place of the Skull (Matthew 27:33-34). After being flogged and beaten by Roman soldiers, Jesus was led to be crucified around 9am that morning (Mark 15:25). At noon, darkness fell over the land while Jesus hung on the cross for the next three hours (Matthew 27:45). Then, around 3pm Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). The darkness and supernatural events testify that this was no ordinary crucifixion but the Son of God sacrificing himself for the sin of the world.
The Meaning of the Words Themselves
“My God, my God” – Jesus began by echoing the familiar address of God that Hebrew believers would use in prayer. Even in his agonizing separation from the Father, Jesus did not renounce his relationship with God.
“Why have you forsaken me” – Jesus lamented being forsaken and abandoned by God while feeling cut off from the Father’s presence as he bore the wrath for our sins. This fulfilled the prophecy of the Messiah in Psalm 22.
Some key aspects of Jesus’ cry:
– They express his feeling of abandonment and separation from God the Father. This was likely an excruciating sorrow never before experienced by Christ.
– They reveal his suffering was foretold in Psalm 22 prophetically about the Messiah’s crucifixion.
– They show Christ still relied upon God and God’s sovereign plan despite feeling forsaken.
– They teach that becoming sin for us demanded that Jesus be cut off from fellowship with the Father.
– They displayed how completely Jesus identified with our human weaknesses and temptations.
The Significance of Christ’s Words
1. They testify that Jesus bore God’s wrath and judgment against sin.
Isaiah 53:6 prophesied that “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 says Jesus became sin for us. Therefore, the separation and forsakenness Jesus experienced on the cross was the Father’s judgment against human sin being poured out on Christ.
2. They proclaim Christ’s atoning work of redemption.
Jesus’ sacrifice turned away God’s wrath and enabled sinners to be justified and reconciled with God. His being forsaken by the Father made possible the forgiveness and adoption of all who believe (Romans 3:25-26, Galatians 4:5).
3. They express intimacy between the Father and Son even at the point of separation.
Jesus cries out “My God, my God!” even while feeling abandoned by the Father. This shows that their relationship could not be destroyed even as Jesus bore our sin and guilt.
4. They align with Jesus’ teaching about sacrificing himself for others.
Jesus said that he would lay down his life for his sheep and no one would take it from him (John 10:11, 18). His statement on the cross communicates his willful laying down of his life for our redemption.
5. They display how completely Christ identifies with the anguish of human suffering.
Jesus knows firsthand the depth of pain, loneliness, and feelings of abandonment that are part of the human experience of suffering. Hebrews 4:15 says he can sympathize with our weaknesses.
6. They fulfill Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s suffering.
Psalm 22 depicts this agonizing cry and the details of crucifixion. Isaiah 53 describes the Servant who would be crushed for our iniquities. Jesus said his words from the cross fulfilled Scripture (Luke 24:45-47).
7. They reveal the cosmic magnitude of Christ’s work of atonement.
The darkness over the land signified the darkness of judgment. Jesus’ suffering reflected the spiritual magnitude of God’s wrath being directed at the sinless Savior on behalf of sinful mankind.
8. They teach that becoming sin for us resulted in separation between the Father and Son.
Jesus was cut off from the Father because God’s holiness cannot abide with sin. As Galatians 3:13 says “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”
In summary, Jesus’ words convey his sorrow, fulfill prophecy, proclaim atonement, express intimacy with the Father, identify with human suffering, and teach that he bore God’s wrath for sinners. This brief but packed statement provides deep insight into the meaning of the cross.
Here are some additional key points about the theological and practical significance of Jesus crying “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”:
– Christ experienced the painful feeling of abandonment so believers would never have to.
– Jesus was forsaken by the Father so that we could be accepted and adopted as God’s children.
– This cry expressed the excruciating sorrow Christ felt as our sacrifice, underscoring the enormity of His atoning work.
– It shows Jesus fully embraced the human experience of lament, grief and feeling forsaken.
– Jesus quotes Psalm 22 to point to the prophetic significance of His suffering on the cross.
– It reiterates that Christ’s sacrifice was the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan prophesied in Scripture.
– Jesus endured this separation from the Father so that our relationship with God could be restored.
– The cry reveals the cosmic significance of Christ’s divine forsakenness – the Holy One was made sin.
– It highlights the role of God the Father in Christ’s sacrifice, pouring out wrath on His own Son.
– Jesus was still in perfect unity with the Father, trusting Him fully, despite His perplexing feelings.
– This cry emphasizes that Jesus died according to the foreordained plan and will of the Triune Godhead.
– It teaches us that we can cling to faith in God’s sovereignty even when we don’t understand His ways.
In conclusion, Jesus’ words “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” carry profound theological meaning regarding atonement, prophecy, and the Triune relationship. This brief statement provides infinite insight into the sacrificial love of the Son and the plan of redemption orchestrated by the Trinity.
Here is a summary of key points about why Jesus uttered these famous words while on the cross:
– To fulfill Messianic prophecy – Jesus was pointing to Psalm 22 which prophesied the suffering and crucifixion of the Messiah.
– To acknowledge his feeling of abandonment – As he bore the sins of the world, Jesus experienced the loss of community with the Father.
– To declare the completion of His atoning work – Christ had fully borne the wrath and judgment sinners deserved.
– To express incredible anguish and sorrow – This cry revealed the excruciating pain Jesus endured for our salvation.
– To emphasize the cost of our redemption – The Son being cut off from the Father was the price paid for our sins.
– To proclaim the Gospel – That Jesus was rejected and killed, but also rose victorious.
– To convey utter obedience to the Father – Even feeling forsaken, Jesus entrusted his spirit to the Father.
– To fulfill the Passover symbolism – Like the Passover lamb, Jesus’ sacrifice averted God’s judgment on sinners.
– To identify with human sufferers – Jesus knows firsthand what it means to feel abandoned by God.
– To reveal his full humanity – That Jesus experienced the despair, lament, and pain of the human condition.
– To underscore his innocence – Despite no sin, Jesus bore the penalty of death and separation from God.
In summary, the words conveyed acute suffering, fulfilled prophecy, completed redemption, expressed submission, identified with sinners, revealed his humanity, and glorified the Triune God. This simple but loaded statement expressed the anguish of the Messiah bearing the world’s sins.
