Why did Jesus feel forsaken by God?
Why did Jesus feel forsaken by God?

Why Did Jesus Feel Forsaken by God?

1. The Cry from the Cross in Context

When Jesus was crucified, the Gospels record a poignant statement: “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ (which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’)” (Mark 15:34). This cry has long captured the attention of readers wonder­ing why Jesus, who is co-eternal with the Father, would proclaim such forsakenness.

The setting is the climax of Jesus’ suffering. His public ministry was concluding as He willingly went to the cross. According to the Gospel accounts, darkness had covered the land (Matthew 27:45), and it was during this ominous time that He uttered the words of Psalm 22. Understanding this moment involves examining both Jesus’ human experience and the biblical concept of atonement.


2. Old Testament Foreshadowing: Psalm 22

The phrase “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” points directly to Psalm 22:1. This psalm, penned centuries prior, was well known in the Jewish community and would have been recognized by those present.

Prophetic Details in Psalm 22: The psalm describes sufferings that eerily match the crucifixion, such as enemies mocking the sufferer (Psalm 22:7), a thirst and physical agony (Psalm 22:15), and the piercing of hands and feet (Psalm 22:16). Remarkably, verse 18 mentions casting lots for the sufferer’s clothing, paralleling the soldiers’ actions at the cross (Matthew 27:35).

Identification with Human Anguish: By quoting the first line of this psalm, Jesus not only echoed prophecy but also identified with profoundly human despair. Psalm 22 begins with a cry of abandonment but ends in triumph and trust, foreshadowing Jesus’ resurrection victory following His crucifixion.


3. The Penalty of Sin and the Concept of Substitution

Biblical teaching presents Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins (Isaiah 53:5–6). According to passages like 2 Corinthians 5:21 — “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” — Christ was bearing the full weight of sin.

Bearing Sin and Wrath: As Jesus hung on the cross, He took upon Himself the just penalty for sin. The sense of separation from God stems from the fact that the Father, in His holiness, poured out judgment upon sin. Jesus, in His humanity, experienced the anguish of that penalty.

Fulfillment of Ritual Sacrifices: In the Old Testament sacrificial system, innocent animals were offered to temporarily cover guilt (Leviticus chapters 4–7). These offerings pointed to the permanent, ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. His cry of forsakenness captures that moment when He bore sin’s consequence in the place of sinners.


4. The Mystery of the Triune Relationship

Scripture teaches the unified nature of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yet, in the incarnation, Jesus took on human nature (John 1:14). This profound mystery allowed the sinless Son of God to suffer in a truly human way.

Voluntary Humbling: Philippians 2:7–8 explains, “He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant…He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” Within this sacrificial role, Jesus experienced emotions, pain, and even a fleeting sense of isolation as He became the sin-bearer.

Relationship, Not Literal Abandonment: The cry does not teach that the Eternal Father permanently severed fellowship with the Son. Rather, it reveals the Son’s real suffering and the weight of divine judgment. The Triune God is never truly divided; however, Jesus’ felt experience embodied the anguish that sin causes—illustrating its severity.


5. Theological Depth: Atonement and God’s Holiness

The experience of feeling forsaken points to both God’s holiness and His mercy. Jesus’ sacrificial act satisfies divine justice and displays incomparable grace.

Holiness Emphasized: God’s perfect righteousness demands that sin be judged (Habakkuk 1:13). Jesus’ mission as the Lamb of God (John 1:29) was to bear that judgment while still championing God’s unbroken holiness.

Reconciliation for Believers: Romans 5:10 declares, “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son…” Through the cross, a new relationship with God is made possible. The depth of Jesus’ temporary feeling of forsakenness underscores just how seriously God regards sin, yet also how deeply He loves the world (John 3:16).


6. Insights from Early Christian Testimony and Manuscripts

From a textual standpoint, the reliability of this recorded moment in Mark is reinforced by multiple manuscripts and early Christian writings. Early Church Fathers, such as Ignatius (late first to early second century) and Justin Martyr (second century), referenced the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Christ’s crucifixion, correlating with Biblical accounts.

Manuscript Evidence: Fragments of Mark dating to the early centuries confirm the inclusion of Jesus’ statement on the cross. While the precise wording from Mark 15:34 appears in various manuscripts, the essence of His cry remains consistent across textual tradition.

Harmonization in the Gospels: Matthew 27:46 records the same statement in Aramaic, corroborating Mark. These consistent narratives, preserved across diverse manuscript lines, support the authenticity of Jesus’ cry, providing historical weight to this pivotal event.


7. Practical and Devotional Reflections

Jesus’ exclamation of forsakenness offers tangible comfort to many who face trials, sorrow, or a sense of God’s silence.

Identification with Human Suffering: Christ stepped into the depths of anguish so fully that He voiced what it feels like when hope seems gone. This offers believers and seekers alike a clear picture of empathy—God truly “knows our frame” (Psalm 103:14).

Hope in the Final Outcome: Psalm 22, after beginning in agony, culminates in praise. Similarly, Jesus’ darkest hour on the cross led to resurrection (Mark 16:6). For those who trust in His atonement, suffering does not have the final say.


8. Conclusion

Jesus’ cry of “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” stands as a profound testament to the depths of His sacrifice. It fulfills Old Testament prophecy, underscores the gravity of sin, and demonstrates divine love that willingly bore the penalty on our behalf. Growing out of this mystery, believers see not a permanent rupture within the Trinity, but the intensity of Jesus’ suffering as He satisfied the demands of divine justice.

Though He felt forsaken in that excruciating moment, the larger biblical narrative affirms that He conquered death through His resurrection, upholding the hope of salvation for all who trust in Him—and showcasing a God who not only understands human anguish but fully redeems it.

What caused Jesus to feel anger?
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