Why Did Jesus Say ‘My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me’? The True Meaning Revealed
The Powerful Cry from the Cross: Unpacking the Ultimate Agony ✨
Among the most powerful and heart-wrenching words ever uttered, the cry from Jesus on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34 KJV), echoes through history with profound mystery and immense theological weight. On the surface, these words appear to reflect utter abandonment and despair, a shocking lament from the Son of God Himself. How could the perfect Son be forsaken by His perfect Father? This agonizing cry has puzzled and intrigued Christians and skeptics alike for centuries. However, a deeper look into the biblical context and the profound theological implications reveals not despair, but a monumental act of redemption, prophesied long ago.
This article will meticulously explore the multi-layered meaning behind this cry from the cross. We will delve into the critical context of Jesus’ crucifixion, uncover its prophetic roots in the Old Testament, and dissect its profound theological significance, particularly concerning the doctrine of atonement. Understanding why Jesus said My God My God Why Have You Forsaken Me is central to grasping the very heart of the Christian faith and the depths of Christ’s love and sacrifice.
1. The Context of Jesus’ Cry: A Moment of Supernatural Darkness 🌑
To fully comprehend the magnitude of Jesus’ cry, we must first set the solemn stage of the crucifixion. This was not merely a moment of extreme physical pain; it was a time of unparalleled spiritual agony and cosmic significance. Jesus, having been brutally beaten, mocked, and nailed to the cross, hung exposed, bearing not only the physical torment but also an unimaginable spiritual burden.
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 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 27:45-46 (KJV)
The specific timing—from the sixth hour (noon) to the ninth hour (3 p.m.)—was marked by a supernatural darkness covering “all the land.” This was not an ordinary eclipse but a miraculous, chilling manifestation, signaling the gravity of the divine judgment unfolding. It was during these final, darkest moments of His physical suffering that Jesus uttered this cry, a reflection of the spiritual agony He was experiencing as He took on the full weight of humanity’s sins. This darkness symbolically veiled the profound spiritual transaction taking place, as the holy God of light momentarily turned His face from His Son, who was then bearing the full impurity of the world’s sin. This context is vital to understanding Jesus’ cry from cross.
2. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Psalm 22 and Jesus’ Deep Connection 📖
One of the most important aspects of understanding Jesus’ words on the cross is their direct connection to Psalm 22. This ancient psalm, written by King David centuries before Jesus’ crucifixion, begins with the very words Jesus speaks:
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 (KJV)
Psalm 22 is a remarkable prophetic blueprint of the suffering Messiah, foretelling details of crucifixion that were unknown in David’s time. It describes:
- His hands and feet being “pierced” (Psalm 22:16).
- His bones being “out of joint” (Psalm 22:14).
- His garments being “parted” and lots cast for His vesture (Psalm 22:18).
- The mocking and scorn of His enemies (Psalm 22:6-8).
By quoting the very first verse of this psalm, Jesus was not merely expressing His personal despair. He was deliberately identifying Himself as the suffering Messiah prophesied in that very psalm. He was inviting those listening, and us today, to read the entire psalm. And significantly, Psalm 22 does not end in despair. It moves from a cry of abandonment (verse 1) to a declaration of ultimate triumph, God’s deliverance, and global worship (Psalm 22:22-31).
Therefore, Jesus’ cry was a profound declaration of fulfillment. Even in His moment of deepest pain, He was affirming the ancient prophecies and pointing to the ultimate victory over sin, death, and evil that was imminent. His words link His immediate suffering to the glorious hope of redemption foretold by David. This makes Psalm 22 prophecy Jesus fulfilled a powerful testament to biblical accuracy. For further insight into the depth of Jesus’ prophetic knowledge and emotional life, you may consider “Did You Know That Jesus Wept Three Times in His Life?.”
3. Theological Meaning: Jesus’ Separation from the Father (Penal Substitution) ✝️
The most profound and central meaning behind Jesus’ cry lies in the theological concept of penal substitutionary atonement. For the first time in eternity, Jesus, who had always experienced perfect unity, fellowship, and unbroken communion with God the Father, experienced a temporary yet agonizing separation. This moment is often referred to as the “great exchange” or the “divine abandonment.”
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. — 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
All we like sheep are gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. — Isaiah 53:6 (KJV)
In His role as the sin-bearer, Jesus was made “sin for us.” This means that the Father, who is perfectly holy, poured out His righteous wrath against all human sin—past, present, and future—upon His Son. The unblemished Lamb of God bore the full weight of God’s judgment against sin. This was not a separation in terms of the Trinity’s essential unity, but a profound and necessary spiritual alienation in terms of fellowship. The Father, in His holiness, could not look upon the Son who was then bearing the full impurity and guilt of the world’s sin.
This temporary spiritual abandonment was the necessary consequence of His atoning sacrifice. Jesus endured the full judgment that we, as sinners, deserved. This moment of forsakenness shows the immeasurable extent of Jesus’ sacrifice and His willingness to endure the ultimate consequence of sin—separation from God—so that we, who are sinners, could be reconciled to God and never experience that eternal separation. This is the very core of atonement meaning biblical truth provides.
4. Emotional and Relational Depth: Jesus’ Humanity and Empathy 😢
While the theological significance of Jesus’ cry is immense, there is also a deep emotional and relational aspect to these words. Jesus was not merely God in human flesh; He was also fully human, experiencing the full range of human emotions, including profound pain, sorrow, and loneliness.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. — Hebrews 4:15 (KJV)
By crying out in this way, Jesus shows that He fully identified with our deepest human struggles. He experienced the terrifying weight of abandonment and loneliness that countless people feel during times of distress, suffering, and despair. His cry from the cross validates our feelings of spiritual isolation and rejection. It assures us that our High Priest understands what it means to feel utterly alone, to feel forsaken, and to grapple with immense spiritual and emotional pain. This speaks directly to Jesus’ suffering meaning for us. He was not detached from human suffering but deeply engaged with it, even in His most profound moments of agony.
5. A Cry of Victory, Not Defeat: “It Is Finished” 🏆
At first glance, Jesus’ cry, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” may seem like an expression of ultimate defeat and despair. However, when we place it within the broader context of His crucifixion and the triumph that followed, it becomes clear that Jesus was, in fact, declaring His ultimate victory over sin and death.
- The Completed Work: Just moments later, Jesus uttered another powerful statement:When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. — John 19:30 (KJV) “It is finished” (Greek: Tetelestai) is an accounting term meaning “paid in full.” It signifies that the debt of sin was fully satisfied, the mission accomplished, and God’s justice appeased through Christ’s sacrifice.
- The Resurrection: The resurrection that followed this moment is the ultimate sign that the Father did not forsake Jesus forever. The temporary spiritual separation was precisely what secured the eternal reunion of believers with God. The victory over death and sin was secured, and the perfect relationship between the Father and the Son, though momentarily strained by sin’s burden, was restored in glory.
Thus, Jesus’ cry was not the lament of a defeated victim, but the profound declaration of a conquering King, fulfilling prophecy, enduring the penalty for sin, and ultimately securing eternal redemption. It was the ultimate expression of obedience and love, leading directly to the triumph of the empty tomb. This is why Christ’s abandonment on cross is paradoxically our greatest hope.
Conclusion: The Profound Significance of Jesus’ Cry 🙏
Jesus’ cry, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” is far more than a simple expression of pain; it is a multi-faceted theological statement of immense significance. It reveals Jesus fulfilling ancient prophecy, bearing the unimaginable weight of humanity’s sin as our substitute, and experiencing a temporary spiritual separation from the Father so that we might never be eternally separated. It is also a testament to His profound humanity and His complete identification with our deepest sufferings.
As believers, we find profound hope in Jesus’ cry. It assures us that Jesus is with us in our darkest moments, even when we feel abandoned, alone, or forsaken by the world. His sacrifice on the cross, marked by this agonizing cry, assures us that no matter how distant we may feel from God due to our sins, Jesus has already bridged that infinite gap through His complete and perfect atonement. His “forsakenness” is our eternal belonging.
What are your thoughts on Jesus’ cry of abandonment on the cross? How does this moment speak to your faith journey and understanding of redemption? Share your reflections in the comments below and engage with others in exploring this profound moment of salvation. 🤔
