Creator, Father, King #230

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

RELISHING PERCEIVED VICTORY, WICKED men stood in the shadow of the cross and hurled vicious insults. Disappointed onlookers shook their heads, their misplaced hopes for a political messiah dashed.

Soldiers heartlessly gambled for his clothes. Even one of the other criminals hanging on either side of him, condemned and nearly dead, spewed vitriol.

Jesus was dying, yet the wolves kept on attacking.

At noon, darkness covered the land, casting an ominous midday pall over an already bleak scene. The eerie gloom was thick with divine judgment and displeasure.

After hanging on the cross for six excruciating hours, the Son of God uttered an agonizing cry: “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (Matthew 27).

Those who witnessed the Crucifixion that day wondered aloud what he meant. Even today, Jesus’ words continue to provoke questions, spark theological debate, and share beautiful gospel truth.

What’s It Mean?

The Savior’s exclamation was in Aramaic, the common, first-century dialect of Palestine. Jesus, who perfectly knew the Old Testament, was quoting Psalm 22:1 (ESV), which says, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

This is one of the most profound statements in Scripture. How could God the Father forsake the Son? And what exactly does that mean?

There is great mystery in the nuances of this phrase, but at some level, the Father had to turn away as the Son became the sin-bearer and “redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13, ESV). Sin’s curse is death and separation from God, but Jesus willingly absorbed all the Father’s just, terrifying wrath for our sake. The beautiful, triune fellowship that the Son had eternally enjoyed with the Father had been temporarily broken.

Jesus cried out for all these reasons. But it wasn’t surprise or disbelief. As the Son of God, he shares omniscience with the Father and the Spirit.

Likewise, the Father wasn’t being aloof or cruel toward the Son. God’s justice and holiness demanded blood payment for sin (Hebrews 9:22). Christ lovingly bore God’s righteous anger in your place “because of the joy awaiting him” (Hebrews 12:2).

Trust in Jesus! He was temporarily forsaken by God so you would never have to be.

Now What?

Read Psalm 9:10; 37:28; and 94:14 to see if God ever forsakes those who trust in him.

Did You Know?

Psalm 22, originally a lament by King David, includes many other prophetic allusions to the Crucifixion, including verses 7, 8, 16, and 18.