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Now we know death is unavoidable for all humanity and conquering death was impossible before the resurrection of Jesus. The death and resurrection of Jesus show the capacity of God’s love for us. The event of the resurrection leads us to a phrase that Jesus uttered while on the cross.

Matthew 27, verse 46 tells us that at “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” (MEV)

This is a significant statement. It has been confusing for some people. Why would God forsake His Son? But not understanding this phrase led some people to conclude that God even rejected Jesus because He took our sins upon himself. And this led some to think that Jesus spent three days away from God, but Luke 23 tells us that Jesus said to the thief on the cross next to Him, “Truly, I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (MEV)

I want you to know that God never abandoned Jesus. Jesus is using a process commonly used in Judaism when approaching Scriptures. Jesus brought to the mind of all of those present all of Psalm 22 as He quoted out loud the opening line, “My God, my God, Why have You forsaken me?”

Now Judaism was an oral culture. It was common and expected to memorize Scripture and they did. Those at the cross of Jesus would have understood exactly what Jesus was saying. They would have recalled all of Psalm 22. With this technique what is not said is the main point. The speaker quotes the opening line, but the remainder of the passage is what holds the driving force for the speaker and those listening.

Understand Psalm 22 begins with David’s great suffering, but it ends with the Lord’s great triumph. Let’s recall some of the verses out of this Psalm, and I encourage you to go and read it all.

It begins with Jesus’ quote, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (NIV) But listen to the rest. It says, “Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. ‘He trusts in the Lord,’ they say, ‘let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.’ Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.”

And it continues, “I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircle 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. But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him. All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 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. From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him—may your hearts live forever!”

And it concludes with “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!”

I love that Psalm! God did not forsake Jesus, He was present with Jesus. They were not separate from one another. Jesus proclaimed victory in His suffering because He has done it!