From Matthew 27:45-50 / Forsaken

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

These are some of the most enigmatic words in the whole of Scripture. And there is no end of speculation on exactly what they mean.

Surely, Jesus knew He was not abandoned in totality even as in His final gasp He said “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.” He knew His Father was still the One to whom He could and should commit Himself. While He felt the full weight of the wrath of God – for what else is His full wrath but to feel oneself utterly forsaken by Him? To have no part in rejoicing in His felt goodness, grace, mercy, love and favor – this Beloved is the very essence of Hell itself. Abandoned by God. Separate from the source of all goodness.

And yet – there is this divine paradox. He at the very same moment can commit Himself to the Father – for he knows what the Father is about in sacrificing the Son. He is making the atonement whereby guilty sinners might be cleansed from every stain, and reconciled to the Father to experience the fullness of what it means to have God and to be had by God as dear children. He is satisfying the eternal justice of the perfectly holy God on behalf of others.

Astounding!

So what then DOES this cry mean?

Whatever else, it cannot mean less than this:

1. Father – take note of why you forsake me now, that those who you have given me might be one with us. Remember your plan. Take full note of my willing sacrifice, and save your people.

2. And more, since these words are quoted from Psalm 22. With David in that Psalm He is saying: “I feel so forsaken, yet I know the good outcome of it all. I know as that Psalm goes on that “You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel” and that even though “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd and my tongue sticks to my jaws” – yet! “From You comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear Him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him shall praise the Lord.” In the last day “they shall come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn, that He has done it.”

And lastly –

3. Ah my Father – what a thing you are doing in this! This is why you have forsaken me, and it fills my broken heart with the joy of this salvation accomplished.

What a redeemer is Jesus the Christ.