Reason Behind My God, My God Why Have You Forsaken Me

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When Jesus was crucified on the Cross, He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

And 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 27:46 (ESV)

➡ If Jesus has Godly attributes, why did He need help on the Cross?

➡ If Jesus is God, who is He crying out to?

These are a few logical questions you may have when reading this bible verse. In today’s post, we will address the first question. The second question is an entire post on its own, which is covered here on the topic of the Holy Trinity – the relation between God the Father and His Son Jesus, according to the bible.

But did you know that there is an even more powerful message behind this verse?

*Note: These bible verses are taken from the ESV translation

Jesus was in fact fulfilling Old Testament prophesy about Himself. Christ was well-known for quoting scriptures from the Old Testament, to prove the Messianic prophesies were about Himself and this passage was no different.

Take a look at the first verse in Psalm 22;

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? Psalm 22:1

Some may say that Jesus could have memorised Old Testament scriptures and recited it on the Cross. Even if that were true and Jesus did memorize that part of Psalm 22, (considering he was only a prophet), how could He have been able to predict how the people would react to Him and the kind of death He would go through? This part is impossible to re-enact, given the number of people involved in Jesus’ crucifixion. To understand this further, let us continue to look at the rest of what Psalm 22 has to say.

My God, My God why have You Forsaken Me, Psalm 22

This is the sequence in which Psalm 22 was written, hundreds of years before Jesus arrived on earth and was crucified.

1. He was Despised and Mocked

All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads. Psalm 22:7

It is no new revelation that Jesus Christ was mocked and beaten before being crucified. Although Jesus came down from Heaven (John 6:41) to share the Good News of salvation, it was not accepted by many, resulting in His crucifixion.

New Testament Bible Verses: Luke 22:63; Matthew 27:41

2. Let the Lord Rescue and Deliver Him

“He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Psalm 22:8

Jesus made bold claims such as being the Son of God (Matthew 16:16), and that He and the Father are one (John 10:30). So when they saw the crucified Jesus on the Cross, they said “Let the Lord save Him”, since Jesus claimed to be one with the Father. They also called Him, the King of Israel (Mark 15:32) and the King of the Jews (Mark 27:11).

New Testament Bible Verse: Matthew 27:42-43

3. They are like Roaring Lions that Surround Him

Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. Psalm 22:12-13

The picture of the events that led up to the crucifixion of Jesus was not a pleasant sight. Jesus was surrounded by people who mocked Him and cast hateful words against Him.

New Testament Bible Verse: Mark 15:29

4. Poured Out Like Water

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. Psalm 22:14

After Jesus was crucified, one of the soldiers pierced the side of Jesus and from there came blood and water.

Three important Psalm 22 prophecies of Jesus were fulfilled in John 19:34-37:

• Water and blood came out from the side of Jesus that was pierced
• None of His bones were broken
• Jesus was pierced

New Testament Bible Verse: John 19:34-37

5. I Thirst

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. Psalm 22:15

After all things had come to pass in relation to Jesus’ mission on earth, Jesus cried out, “I thirst”, and they gave Him sour wine on a hyssop branch.

New Testament Bible Verse: John 19:28-29

6. Pierced My Hand and Feet

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. Psalm 22:16

The modern day depiction of Jesus Christ, is the Cross, and it symbolizes the death and resurrection of the crucified Jesus who was pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5).

New Testament Bible Verse: John 19:37, Mark 15:25

7. Cast Lots for My Garments

I can count all my bones – they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22:17-18

In the book of Matthew we see this being accomplished.

The soldiers cast lots for His garments – another powerful Psalm 22 prophecy of Jesus being fulfilled.

New Testament Bible Verse: Matthew 27:35

Significance of My God Why Have You Forsaken Me?

Surely the people around Jesus who were mocking Him and nailing Him to the Cross didn’t plan to follow Psalm 22 verse by verse. It was prophecy being fulfilled in front of their eyes without their knowledge of it, which is why Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” So the reason why Jesus cried out on the Cross, was to point people to the fulfilment of the Psalm 22 prophecy of the promised Messiah who is the Christ.

Was Jesus Defeated on the Cross?

While many who are unaware of scripture, might view Jesus on the Cross as a defeated man – it was quite the opposite. Jesus was in-fact the victorious One.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:13-15

Why?

1. All of Us on Earth are Sinners

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

2. The Result of this Sin is Death, but Christ Came to Save Us from this Punishment

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

3. By Sacrificing Himself on the Cross, Jesus Declared Victory

By cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Colossians 2:14-15

Jesus was in control of the situation the whole time – even to His death!

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