Why Did Jesus Say, "My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"

Matt.27:46-47 - About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"  NASU 
This coming Sunday is Resurrection Sunday what the world commonly calls Easter. You will probably hear a few sermons about how God turned His back on Jesus and abandoned Him on the cross. I want you to know I don't believe that theory. So I am publishing this Pump Up to share with you my belief about what Jesus was really saying on the cross. Please accept my apology for the length of this Pump Up. 

• God Doesn't Forsake Anyone 

God never forsook Moses or the children of Israel. Moses says, "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."  Deut. 31:6 

God speaks to Joshua as the leader of the Israelites. He tells Joshua, "No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you." Joshua 1:5 
 
God told Jacob and Solomon He would be with them and that He would not forsake them. 

• Promise Renewed In The New Testament 

The writer of Hebrews is quoting from the Old Testament when he pens down these words, "…for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say,
 
"THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.
WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"  Heb 13:5-6 
 
Christians have the same promise made to them about God and the promise that He will NOT Ever Desert or Forsake us.  

• What Was Jesus Saying? 

Now think about these scriptures for one minute. God has promised in the Old and New Testaments He will not forsake anyone. Yet, some would have us to believe Jesus who never sinned was on the cross dying and atoning for the sins of mankind was forsaken by God.
 
Here is my belief about what Jesus was saying on the cross.
 
First, this is an Old Test. Quote, one must return to Psalm 22 where this quote originated and study the context of how it was used there. Once you do this I believe the answer becomes very clear.
 
Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm. This means it applies to the Messiah or Jesus.
 
Jesus is hanging on the cross when He speaks these words. The only scriptures they had at this time were the OT scriptures. The OT was not divided into chapters and verses. Therefore, Jesus couldn't say turn to Psalm 22 and you will find the answer as to what is happening to Me.
 
The first entire Bible in which chapter and verse divisions were used was Robert Stephanus' edition of the Latin Vulgate (A.D. 1555).
 
When Jesus quotes the first words: "My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?" He was telling His disciples to read the Psalm that begins with those words. When you read that Psalm the truth will be revealed:
 
Ps 22:3-5
Yet You are holy,
O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
In You our fathers trusted;
They trusted and You delivered them.
To You they cried out and were delivered;
In You they trusted and were not disappointed.
 
Ps 22:23-24
You who fear the LORD, praise Him;
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel.
For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from him;
But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.  NASU
 
In verses 3-5 the Psalmist is saying, God is holy, and the Israelite fathers trusted in God and were delivered. In verses 23-24 he is saying God has not hidden His face from this person who is suffering.
 
In fact, this person cries out for help and God heard His cry.
 
This Psalm is considered a Messianic one which means it is about the Messiah and I would agree. Therefore, Jesus is NOT saying God has forsaken Him, but the exact opposite. God had heard His cry for help and helped Him. 

• Have You Ever Felt Forsaken? 

 You and I may go through times when we feel like God has forsaken us, but our feelings are wrong as they have been before. God doesn't forsake us. God keeps His word and helps His children.

Jesus tells us very clearly He is not alone during His crucifixion. He informs His disciples they will be scattered or in other words they are going to run and leave Jesus all alone, but He says I am not alone.
 
John 16:31-32 - Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."
 
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ if there is anything I am sure of it is this: God doesn't forsake His children.
 
Think About This:
 
The promises of God are certain, but they don't always mature in 90 days.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

​Minister of God's Word