Introduction: The Powerful Cry from the Cross
Among the most powerful and heart-wrenching words spoken by Jesus on the cross are "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" These words, recorded in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34, have puzzled and intrigued Christians throughout history. On the surface, they may appear to reflect abandonment and despair, but a deeper look reveals profound theological and emotional layers. In this post, we will explore the meaning behind this cry and why Jesus uttered these words during His final moments on the cross.
1. The Context of Jesus' Cry: A Moment of Darkness
To fully understand why Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" we must first set the stage. The crucifixion was a time of extreme physical pain and spiritual weight. Jesus, having been beaten, mocked, and nailed to the cross, was now bearing the full weight of humanity’s sins.
The sky had grown dark from noon to 3 p.m. (Matthew 27:45), signaling the gravity of the moment. Jesus' words are uttered during the final moments of His physical suffering, but they are also a reflection of the spiritual agony He was experiencing as He took on the sins of the world.
Key Scripture to Consider:
- Matthew 27:46 – "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?')" (NIV)
- Mark 15:34 – "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?'" (ESV)
2. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Psalm 22 and Jesus' Cry
One of the most important aspects of understanding Jesus' words is the connection to Psalm 22. This ancient psalm, written by King David, contains the very words Jesus speaks on the cross: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
Psalm 22:1 – "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?" (NIV)
This psalm is a prophetic picture of the suffering Messiah, written centuries before Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus’ cry was not a moment of despair or defeat, but a deliberate fulfillment of Scripture. By quoting Psalm 22, Jesus was connecting His suffering with the ancient prophecy that foretold the Messiah's suffering and ultimate victory.
Interestingly, Psalm 22 begins with a cry of abandonment but ends with a declaration of triumph and hope. In the final verses, David prophesies that God will deliver, and all the earth will recognize God’s sovereignty. This indicates that even in His moment of deepest pain, Jesus was pointing to the ultimate victory over sin, death, and evil.
Key Insight:
When Jesus cries out, He is both identifying with humanity’s suffering and fulfilling the prophetic role that was foretold. His words connect His present suffering to the hope of redemption in Psalm 22.
3. Theological Meaning: Jesus' Separation from the Father
Another layer of meaning behind Jesus' cry comes from the theological significance of what it means for Jesus to be forsaken by God the Father. For the first time in eternity, Jesus, who had always had perfect unity and communion with the Father, experienced separation. This moment is often referred to as the "great exchange" or the "divine abandonment".
Jesus, in His role as the sin-bearer, was now carrying the weight of the world’s sins. In this moment, Jesus was made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), and in doing so, He experienced a temporary separation from the Father. This separation was not due to any fault of His own but was the necessary consequence of His atoning sacrifice. The weight of sin led to a moment of spiritual alienation, but this was part of God's plan of redemption.
Scripture to Consider:
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 – "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (NIV)
- Isaiah 53:6 – "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (NIV)
This moment of forsakenness shows the extent of Jesus’ sacrifice and His willingness to endure the full consequences of sin so that we could be reconciled to God. It was a necessary part of the atonement process.
4. Emotional and Relational Depth: Jesus' Humanity
While the theological significance of Jesus’ cry is immense, there is also a deep emotional and relational aspect to these words. Jesus was not just God in the flesh; He was also fully human. In His humanity, Jesus felt the weight of abandonment and loneliness that many people experience during times of distress and suffering. He experienced real emotional pain.
By crying out in this way, Jesus shows that He fully identifies with our struggles. Hebrews 4:15 assures us that Jesus can empathize with our weaknesses:
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." (NIV)
Jesus’ cry reveals that He was not detached from human suffering but deeply engaged with it, even in His most profound moments of pain.
5. A Cry of Victory, Not Defeat
At first glance, Jesus’ cry may seem like an expression of defeat. However, when we look at the broader context, it becomes clear that Jesus was ultimately declaring His victory over sin and death. His cry was a fulfillment of Scripture, a declaration of obedience to the Father’s will, and a sign of identification with humanity’s suffering.
The resurrection that followed this moment is the ultimate sign that the Father did not forsake Jesus forever. The victory over death and sin was secured, and the relationship between the Father and the Son was restored in glory.
Scripture to Consider:
- John 19:30 – "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (NIV)
6. Conclusion: The Significance of Jesus’ Cry
Jesus’ cry, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" is not simply a cry of abandonment; it is a theological statement of Jesus fulfilling prophecy, bearing the weight of sin, and identifying with human suffering. It is also a statement of ultimate victory, as it leads to the resurrection and the restoration of the relationship between the Father and the Son.
As believers, we can find hope in Jesus’ cry. It shows us that Jesus is with us in our darkest moments, even when we feel abandoned or forsaken. His sacrifice assures us that no matter how distant we may feel from God, Jesus has already bridged the gap through His atonement.
Call to Action:
What are your thoughts on Jesus’ cry of abandonment on the cross? How does this moment speak to your faith journey? Share your reflections in the comments below and engage with others in exploring this profound moment of redemption.
