Why Did Jesus Say “My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
Today, we will talk about why Jesus said, “My God, why have You forsaken Me?” This phrase comes from one of the most heart-wrenching moments during His crucifixion. Many Christians may not fully grasp what this means or the significance behind these words. It is essential to take a moment to reflect on the emotional and spiritual depths of this declaration, as it holds a weighty message about suffering, abandonment, and divine purpose. As we read through God’s word, let’s meditate and understand the implications behind this poignant cry from the cross.
The Meaning Behind the Words
The phrase “My God, why have you forsaken me?” is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew (27:46) and Mark (15:34). In the original Hebrew, the phrase “eli, eli, lama sabachthani?” translates directly to “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” It’s a direct quote from Psalm 22:1, which David penned in a time of great despair. This deeply emotional cry illustrates Jesus’ feelings of abandonment in His moment of agony.
In the context of Jesus’ crucifixion, this statement embodies the culmination of His suffering. As He hung on the cross, burdened with the sins of the world, He felt distanced from the Father. This wasn’t a mere utterance of pain; it was an acknowledgment of the weight of sin and the effects of separation from God. The Hebrew emphasis is on despair, indicating that Jesus was not only quoting Scripture but genuinely expressing His feelings during the ordeal.
In the Greek language, the focus shifts slightly where “ἀφήκα” (aphēka), translated as “forsaken,” carries a heavy connotation of abandonment. This word isn’t just about being left alone; it deeply resonates with the idea of being deserted by a close relationship. Jesus, who had always enjoyed communion with God, was experiencing the ramifications of sin and its separation from the Father.
Historically, this moment is of significant importance. It signifies the climax of redemptive history in which Jesus took on the sin of humanity. Understanding that He bore our sins can help us grasp the God-forsaken feeling He experienced. This moment was essential to fulfill the prophecy and to ensure our reconciliation with God through His sacrifice. Jesus knew the Scriptures and used them powerfully to express His anguish, linking His suffering to the ancient cries of God’s people.
The Testimony of Suffering
Jesus’ cry reflects an essential aspect of the human experience: suffering. Many of us can relate to the feeling of abandonment, especially during times of trials and tribulations. Life can throw challenges our way that leave us questioning, “Where is God in my pain?” Jesus took upon Himself not just the physical suffering of the crucifixion but the emotional turmoil of feeling detached from God. This mirrors many experiences where we feel isolated in our struggles.
Various verses illustrate the nature of suffering and God’s relationship with us amidst those moments. In Romans 8:18, Paul writes, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” This reminds us that while we may face hardships, they serve a greater purpose in God’s plan. Jesus’ suffering had a profound meaning for our eternity, showing us that our pain can lead to deeper faith.
Hebrews 4:15 reveals Jesus as our High Priest who understands our weaknesses because He was tempted in every way, just as we are. He didn’t shy away from suffering; instead, He embraced it. This portrayal of Jesus shows that He empathizes with our feelings of abandonment. We see this echoed in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, where we learn that God comforts us in our troubles, allowing us to comfort others in their pains.
Through His anguish, Jesus identified with us. He exemplified how to bring our distress to God, expressing honesty in our relationship with Him. His cry teaches us that we should not be afraid to voice our struggles, doubts, and fears to God. When we feel isolated or forsaken, we can remember that our Savior walked that lonely path. His experience is a reminder that we are not alone in our suffering.
The Fulfillment of Prophecy
The very words that Jesus proclaimed on the cross were not happenstance but a fulfillment of prophecy. Psalm 22 lays a remarkable parallel with Jesus’ crucifixion, offering insight into His suffering and abandonment. The whole psalm reflects a cry of despair and ultimately leads to hope and vindication. Understanding this connection helps us appreciate the purpose behind Jesus’ words.
Psalm 22 begins with that haunting question about abandonment but transitions into verses of trust and reliance on God’s deliverance. For instance, in Psalm 22:24, it declares, “For He has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” This perfect blend of despair and hope manifests the true picture of God’s relationship with humanity in suffering.
In Isaiah 53:5, we remember that Jesus was “pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds, we are healed.” The prophecies surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion underscore a theme of suffering leading to salvation. Jesus’ heart-wrenching words call attention not only to His pain but to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through suffering.
The connections to Scripture are a reminder that God orchestrates everything according to His divine schedule. Every aspect of Jesus’ life fulfilled prophecies, even down to the words He uttered in His moment of deepest distress. This realization can encourage us to trust in the Lord’s plans for our lives, even when we cannot understand our current circumstances.
The Nature of Abandonment
Abandonment can take many forms. For many of us, it’s the feeling of being left behind when we face difficult challenges, be it in relationships, health issues, or even personal struggles. When Jesus cried out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”, it encapsulated that sense of abandonment experienced by many throughout history.
In this forsakenness, He exemplified how we must confront our feelings of being abandoned. Biblical figures like Job experienced this firsthand. In Job 30:20, Job laments, “I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me.” Such expressions of frustration are relatable. However, the story of Job illustrates that God was present even when Job felt forsaken, eventually restoring him beyond his earlier state (Job 42:10).
Moreover, the isolation Jesus felt magnifies the importance of community. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 instructs us on the value of two being better than one, underscoring that we are meant for companionship. Jesus’ experience teaches us that He not only embraced suffering for our sake but nudges us toward understanding that He is with us through it all. Acts 17:27 assures us of God’s proximity, stating that He is not far from each one of us.
By recognizing our connection to Christ in our struggles, we can press into our relationship with Him instead of distancing ourselves further during trying times. When emotions of abandonment surface, let’s remember that Jesus relates to our experiences and is actively inviting us into deeper dependence on Him.
The Path to Redemption
Ultimately, Jesus’ utterance reflects an essential truth about His mission: the path to redemption is often paved with suffering. In John 3:16, we learn about God’s incredible love for the world that led Him to give His only Son for our salvation. Jesus endured this separation to take on our sins and offer us forgiveness. Thus, His cry was not just an expression of agony but a tremendous fulfillment of a loving purpose.
In Romans 5:8, we are reminded, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The weight of abandonment highlights the extent to which Jesus was willing to go for our sake. His death opens the door to a relationship with God that was previously hindered by sin. Jesus’ suffering allowed us to be washed clean and restored to the Father.
The resurrection gives us hope, reinforcing that suffering is not the end of the story. In Revelation 21:4, we are promised that “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Therefore, even in our struggle when we might echo Christ’s words, we can hold on to the truth that He has already conquered both sin and death.
Final Thoughts
This profound moment of Jesus’ life reveals so much about our relationship with God. When He cried out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”, He showed vulnerability and identified with our human struggles. Jesus’ experience of abandonment speaks to the very real feelings we may encounter in our lives. However, it is important to remember that even in our sufferings, God is present and working all things for good.
Jesus’ expression is also a reminder of the fulfillment of prophecy and the beauty of redemption found through His sacrifice. Though we may experience pain and sometimes feel alone, we can lean into the relationship that God has made possible through Christ. We are never truly forsaken; rather, we are invited into a deeper understanding of God’s love and grace even amidst our challenges.
So, let us take heart! When we face our moments of darkness, we can focus on the light of Jesus’ resurrection. He conquered the grave, and because of that, we can rest assured that hope is always available to us. Lean into God, ask Him your questions, and trust that He cares for you deeply. Our God has not abandoned us; He is right here, every step of the way.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4