During the crucifixion, when Jesus was on the cross, “…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?”” Matthew 27:45-46
When we first see the phrase, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?,” we are left with 2 uncomfortable questions:
- Why was Jesus asking a question? I thought He knew everything.
- Did God forsake Jesus? I thought they were one.
Why was Jesus asking a question? Was He surprised?
Jesus knew He was going to the cross. It is the actual reason He came to the earth in the first place. We see numerous times in the Gospels where Jesus would foretell of His coming crucifixion and rising from the dead. We see in the garden, on the night that he was betrayed by Judas, not only did He know, but He was in control. “When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they (soldiers and pharisees) drew back and fell to the ground.”(John 18:6). The people that came to arrest Jesus fell before Him, and Jesus went on to ask them again who they were seeking. After Peter jumps up and cuts off the ear of a person, “…Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?””John 18:11. Jesus told Peter and is telling us now that He was purposefully and willingly walking to the cross.
God did forsake Jesus on the cross.
During the three hours on the cross, Jesus bore our sins. God is Holy and cannot be in the presence of sin. So God had to turn His back on Jesus and be separated spiritually from Him for that time. That is how Jesus paid for our sins on the cross. He was separated from the Father (died spiritually), then restored spiritually on the cross before He died physically for three days.
Why did He ask the question on the cross?
To better understand that we need to look into the Old Testament. Psalm 22:1 says, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?”
Jesus was quoting the Old Testament when he said this question. When we look further into Psalm 22, we see something remarkable. The whole chapter describes his crucifixion. Vs 16 says that they have “pierced my hands and feet”. Vs 18 says “they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
Jesus was not confused.
The people around Him were confused. They thought Jesus was going to become the earthly king of Israel, so Jesus dying wrecked their plans. Jesus answered what they were thinking in their minds. ‘Why is Jesus dying on a cross?’ Jesus had the answer, and He was pointing the people then, and us today, to Psalm 22. He was reminding everyone that this death was purposeful and that He was fulfilling prophecy.
Why didn’t Jesus just say “Look at Psalm 22”?
The numbers of the chapters and verses didn’t exist and weren’t added to the Bible until a thousand years after Jesus died. The history of Bible chapters and verses is interesting further reading, and I encourage you to look up the details. Instead, people would reference the passage by the first phrase of the segment. In this way, Jesus was using the normal practice of sharing Bible references of the day.
Jesus wanted us to know all that Psalm 22 says.
Jesus’s reference to Psalm 22 wasn’t just showing us that He was intentionally going to the cross. It also gives insight into what He was feeling and what the cross would do for us.
The early parts of the chapter show us that even though others had abandoned Him, Jesus trusted the Father (vs 6-9), just like David, who wrote the chapter, learned to trust God.
Starting in verse 23, the chapter starts talking about the future. It focuses on restoration, “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord.” (vs 27).
The chapter closes with a reference to you.
Psalm 22:31, says, “they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.”
Jesus wants you to understand His purpose for going to the cross today.
I encourage you to read Psalm 22 in its entirety and allow the Holy Spirit to show you the sacrificial love Jesus has for you.
