Introduction
Jesus’ anguished cry—“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)—echoes through history as the darkest moment of the crucifixion. In His humanity, He voiced the profound sense of abandonment that sin brings. Yet in His divinity, He fulfilled ancient prophecy and secured redemption. In this in-depth study we will:
- Examine the historical, cultural, and literary context of this cry;
- Analyze Psalm 22’s structure and its Messianic foreshadowing;
- Discuss patristic and Reformation-era theological reflections on divine forsakenness;
- Offer practical insights for believers facing their own seasons of darkness.
Section 1: Context of Jesus’ Cry on the Cross 📜
1.1 The Hour of Divine Darkness (Matthew 27:45–49) 🌑
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour… about the ninth hour Jesus cried… ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’”— Matthew 27:45–46 (KJV)
Three hours of darkness covered Judea—from noon to 3 PM—coinciding with the temple sacrifices. In Second Temple literature, such darkness signaled divine judgment (e.g. Amos 8:9). Jesus, as the ultimate Passover Lamb, endured the culmination of sin’s penalty during this sacred period.
Aramaic carries emotional intensity. The double use of “Eli” (My God) highlights intimate address. The added “sabachthani” (forsaken) points to a perceived distance. Matthew omits early Greek manuscripts’ “why hast thou forsaken me,” focusing on the raw cry.
1.2 Psalm 22: A Blueprint of Suffering and Triumph 🎶
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me…?”— Psalm 22:1 (KJV)
Psalm 22 unfolds in two movements:
- Lament (vv. 1–21): Vivid language—“dogs have compassed me” (v. 16), “they pierced my hands and feet” (v. 16), “my heart is like wax” (v. 14)—mirrors crucifixion realities.
- Praise and Hope (vv. 22–31): The psalm pivots—“But thou art holy” (v. 3), foretelling global worship, resonating in Acts 2’s fulfillment among Gentiles.
Jesus’ citation of v. 1 signals He embodies the psalm’s arc: from forsakenness to victory.
1.3 Gospel Parallels and Unique Details ✍️
Mark preserves the Aramaic form but adds translation for Greek readers (Mark 15:34). Luke omits this cry, instead emphasizing Jesus’ priestly intercession (“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,” Luke 23:46). John highlights Jesus’ authority in laying down His life (John 19:30). These variations reflect each evangelist’s theological angle: suffering, intercession, and victory.
1.4 Cultural and Ritual Significance 🔨
Crucifixion was a shameful, slow death. Jewish cultural norms saw public execution as utter disgrace (Deut 21:23). By quoting Psalm 22 in this context, Jesus reframed the crucifixion as divine necessity, transforming shame into sacred sacrifice.
Section 2: Theological Significance of Being “Forsaken” ⚖️
2.1 Substitutionary Atonement in Real Time 💔
At the heart of penal substitution is the reality that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, bore the full weight of humanity’s sin. Isaiah 53:4–6 prophesies:
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows… the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”— Isaiah 53:4–6 (KJV)
On the cross, this prophecy reached its climax. Jesus’ cry of forsakenness declares the moment when God’s righteous justice against sin collided with His boundless mercy. Sin’s ultimate consequence—separation from God—fell upon Christ so that those who trust in Him may experience restored fellowship.
- New Testament Echo: Galatians 3:13 states, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…”
- Practical Reflection: Meditate on the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice by contrasting your own sin with His innocent suffering.
2.2 Divine Absence as the Engine of Redemption 🤐
The seeming silence of the Father at the cross was not an act of abandonment in the sense of punitive rejection, but the necessary withdrawal to accomplish redemption. Theologian J. Todd Billings frames this as “redemptive absence”—the Father’s purposeful permitting of separation to secure a deeper union with humanity through Christ’s sacrifice.
- Patristic Insight: Origen and Gregory of Nazianzus spoke of God’s silent glory, hidden yet active, as the means by which divine sovereignty is both honored and fulfilled.
- Contemporary Implication: In our darkest seasons, God’s absence may be the precursor to a greater manifestation of His grace.
2.3 Cosmic Reversal: Defeating the Power of Death 🏆
“Through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil…”— Hebrews 2:14 (KJV)
Jesus’ descent into forsakenness was the strategic strike in cosmic warfare. By entering the domain of death—where Satan exerted authority—Christ disarmed the foe. This act inaugurated the “firstfruits” of resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20), heralding the ultimate redemption of creation.
- Typological Note: Christ as the new Adam reverses Adam’s failure (Romans 5:18–19), securing victory where humanity once fell.
- Eschatological Hope: Believers participate already in this victory (inaugurated eschatology) and await its full realization at Christ’s return.
2.4 The Hypostatic Tension: Divine and Human Will United 🤝
The cry from the cross also illuminates the mystery of the incarnation. Jesus’ divine and human wills were entrained in perfect harmony, yet experienced real tension. Karl Barth observed that in this moment the human will of Jesus experienced an “abyss” of separation that only the divine will could traverse without faltering.
- Kenotic Reflection: Philippians 2:7–8 describes Christ emptying Himself, embodying the self-giving love that steps into forsakenness for our salvation.
- Spiritual Application: In our own struggles between God’s will and personal pain, we find solidarity in Christ’s example of obedience amid alienation.
Section 3: How This Moment Brings Hope to Believers 🌅
3.1 Perfect High Priest Who Knows Our Pain 🤗
Hebrews 4:15–16 invites us to approach the throne of grace. Jesus’ cry assures us He empathizes with separation, depression, and loneliness. In our darkest moments, we find a sympathetic Savior.
3.2 Assurance of Divine Presence 🔗
If Christ endured the pangs of forsakenness, we can be confident in Romans 8:38–39: “neither death… nor life… shall be able to separate us from the love of God.” His experience guarantees our perpetual union with the Father.
3.3 Lament as a Pathway to Praise 🙌
Jesus models lament before trust. We, too, can pour out honest prayers—“Why, O Lord?”—knowing that, like Psalm 22, our laments can evolve into declarations of faith as God works deliverance.
3.4 Spiritual Practices for Times of Darkness 🛡️
- Scripture Meditation: Regularly read Psalm 22 in community, mapping your own journey from sorrow to joy.
- Journaling: Record your feelings and God’s responses, tracing His faithfulness across seasons.
- Prayer Partnerships: Pair with a fellow believer for mutual lament and prayer, bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
3.5 Testimonies of Triumph 📣
Share stories of those who found new life after deep sorrow—like missionary Elisabeth Elliott, who after her husband’s martyrdom, ministered to the very tribe that killed him, testifying to resurrection hope.
Section 4: Pastoral and Practical Applications for Today 💡
Jesus’ cry of forsakenness provides a framework for pastoral care, worship, and personal growth. In this section, we outline practical steps to help churches and individuals embody the hope born from the cross.
4.1 Preaching the Full Counsel of God 📣
Incorporate Jesus’ cry into preaching series on suffering and redemption:
- Expository Preaching: Walk through Matthew 27 and Psalm 22 verse by verse, highlighting connections.
- Sermon Series: Offer “Seven Last Words” series, dedicating a sermon to “My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” to unpack its depth.
4.2 Corporate Lament and Healing Services 🕊️
Host gatherings where congregations bring personal laments before the cross:
- Lament Workshops: Teach how to script biblical laments, using Psalm 22 as a template.
- Healing Prayer Stations: Create stations for silent confession, intercession, and symbolic acts (e.g., writing sorrows on paper and placing them at the foot of a cross).
4.3 Discipleship Practices for Dark Seasons 🛡️
Equip believers to navigate personal trials with spiritual disciplines:
- Scripture Recall: Memorize key verses from Psalm 22 and Romans 8 to counter doubts in moments of “forsakenness.”
- Prayer Rhythms: Introduce the practice of “lament prayers” in daily routines, balancing praise and petition.
- Community Care Groups: Form small groups specifically for mutual support during grief, loss, or depression.
4.4 Worship Arts and Creative Expression 🎨
Leverage artistic mediums to help believers process and proclaim the cry:
- Music: Commission or curate songs that incorporate Jesus’ words, weaving modern lament hymns into liturgy.
- Visual Arts: Display art installations depicting Psalm 22 imagery, inviting reflection during services.
- Drama: Enact a short skit or monologue of Jesus’ final hours, emphasizing emotional authenticity.
Embedded Internal Links 🔗
🔗
- Through His Eyes: Love, Pain, and Sacrifice
- Jesus Wept: Three Moments of Deep Emotion
- Godliness with Contentment: Finding Peace Amidst Trials
Conclusion
Jesus’ cry, “My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” unveils the heart of redemption: divine love that endures separation to restore communion. In His forsakenness we see both our sin’s gravity and God’s unwavering commitment to conquer it. May this truth anchor your soul in every storm, reassuring you of Christ’s empathy, presence, and ultimate triumph.
How does Jesus’ cry transform your perspective on God’s presence in suffering? Share below! 💬
