![Why Did Jesus Say My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me [Understanding Matthew 2746 and Mark 1534]](https://i0.wp.com/powerfuljesus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Why-Does-God-Call-Us-to-Go-to-Church-2.webp?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
When Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” from the cross, He was not only expressing deep anguish but also pointing to a greater spiritual reality. This statement, quoted from Psalm 22, powerfully connects His suffering to ancient prophecy, affirming that His death was part of God’s redemptive plan. It highlights both the fulfillment of scripture and the weight of sin He bore—becoming the bridge between divine justice and mercy.
This moment also reveals Jesus’ profound humanity. In His cry, we see that He experienced real emotional, spiritual, and physical agony—just as we do. Yet, His words offer a model of honest prayer and show us that feeling distant from God doesn’t mean we are abandoned. Ultimately, His cry leads to the resurrection and the promise that we are never truly forsaken. Keep reading for a deeper dive into the rich theological and emotional layers of this powerful moment.
When Jesus uttered the words “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” on the cross, it marked one of the most poignant moments in the Christian narrative. These words, recorded in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34, have puzzled and moved believers for centuries. To understand why Jesus said this, we need to delve into the historical, theological, and emotional layers of this cry.
The Context of the Cry
First, let’s set the scene. Jesus had been betrayed, arrested, and subjected to a series of illegal trials. He was mocked, beaten, and ultimately crucified—a brutal form of Roman execution reserved for the worst criminals. Hanging on the cross, Jesus experienced intense physical pain and profound emotional and spiritual agony.
Fulfillment of Prophecy
One primary reason Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” was to fulfill Old Testament prophecy. This phrase is a direct quotation from Psalm 22:1, a psalm of David. The psalm begins with a sense of abandonment but ultimately transitions into a declaration of trust and hope in God’s deliverance. By invoking this psalm, Jesus connected His suffering with the messianic prophecies, affirming that He was the fulfillment of the scriptures.
Psalm 22 is rich with prophetic imagery that parallels Jesus’ crucifixion:
- Psalm 22:16-18: “Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”
This vivid description matches the events of Jesus’ crucifixion, highlighting that His suffering was not random but part of God’s redemptive plan.
Theological Significance
Theologically, Jesus’ cry of abandonment reflects the weight of humanity’s sin that He bore on the cross. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul writes, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” On the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world. This separation from God was the ultimate consequence of sin, and Jesus experienced it fully.
Jesus’ cry also underscores His genuine humanity. Though fully divine, He experienced human emotions, including anguish and abandonment. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, “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.” Jesus’ words reveal that He understands our deepest pain and suffering because He has lived through it.
Emotional and Psychological Anguish
From an emotional and psychological perspective, Jesus’ cry is a profound expression of distress. Crucifixion was designed to be excruciatingly painful and humiliating. Beyond the physical agony, Jesus faced the abandonment of His disciples, the mockery of onlookers, and the apparent silence of God. In this moment, His cry reflects the depths of His suffering and the intensity of His isolation.
A Model of Honest Prayer
Jesus’ cry also serves as a model for honest prayer. In moments of profound suffering, it’s natural to feel abandoned or forsaken. Jesus’ example teaches us that it’s okay to bring our raw emotions before God. God can handle our questions, our doubts, and our pain. Psalm 34:18 offers comfort: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Assurance of God’s Presence
Although Jesus felt forsaken, His cry does not signify a total separation from God. Instead, it highlights the depth of His suffering for our sake. The narrative of Jesus’ crucifixion doesn’t end in despair but in victory. After His resurrection, Jesus affirmed God’s unending presence and authority, declaring in Matthew 28:18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Jesus’ temporary feeling of abandonment was part of the larger story of redemption. It led to the resurrection, the ultimate triumph over sin and death, and the assurance that God will never forsake us. Romans 8:38-39 provides this assurance: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Conclusion
When Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He was expressing the depths of human anguish and fulfilling the prophetic scriptures. This cry reveals the weight of the world’s sin that He bore and underscores His genuine humanity. It teaches us about the reality of suffering, the importance of honest prayer, and the assurance of God’s presence even in our darkest moments.
In understanding this profound moment, we find not only the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice but also the breadth of God’s love. Jesus’ cry from the cross echoes through history, reminding us that He endured abandonment so that we might never be forsaken.
FAQs on Why Jesus Said “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
1. Why did Jesus say “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus said this to fulfill Old Testament prophecy from Psalm 22:1, to express the profound suffering and abandonment He felt while bearing the sins of the world, and to highlight His genuine humanity.
2. What is the significance of Psalm 22 in this context?
Psalm 22 begins with a sense of abandonment but transitions into trust and hope in God. By quoting this psalm, Jesus connected His suffering with the messianic prophecies, affirming that He was the fulfillment of the scriptures.
3. How does this statement reflect Jesus’ humanity?
Jesus’ cry of abandonment shows that He experienced genuine human emotions, including anguish and isolation, underscoring His ability to empathize with our weaknesses.
4. What does this cry teach us about prayer?
Jesus’ honest expression of distress teaches us that it’s okay to bring our raw emotions, questions, and doubts before God. It shows that God can handle our deepest pain.
5. Was Jesus truly abandoned by God on the cross?
While Jesus felt abandoned, His cry does not signify a total separation from God. It highlights the depth of His suffering for our sake, which ultimately led to His resurrection and the assurance of God’s unending presence.
6. How does this event assure us of God’s love?
Jesus’ experience of abandonment was part of God’s redemptive plan, leading to His resurrection and the ultimate triumph over sin and death. This assures us that God will never forsake us.
7. What is the theological importance of this statement?
Theologically, Jesus’ cry reflects the weight of humanity’s sin that He bore on the cross. It also underscores His role as the suffering servant who took upon Himself the consequences of sin for our redemption.
8. How does this event relate to our own experiences of suffering?
Jesus’ cry from the cross shows that He understands our deepest pain and suffering because He has lived through it. It provides comfort and hope that God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
9. How can we apply this understanding to our faith?
Understanding Jesus’ cry helps us to trust in God’s presence even in our darkest moments. It encourages us to be honest in our prayers and to find solace in the assurance that God will never forsake us.
10. What scriptures support the idea that God will never abandon us?
Romans 8:38-39 and Hebrews 4:15 are key scriptures that assure us of God’s unending love and presence, reinforcing the message that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
