If Jesus is God, why did He say, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” on the cross (Matthew 27:46)? 1. Introduction to the Question One of the most poignant statements recorded in Scripture is Jesus’ cry: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). At first glance, this seeming lament raises a mystery: If Jesus is God, how could He address the Father in terms of apparent abandonment? The following entry provides a comprehensive exploration of this question, drawing upon multiple facets of biblical teaching, early manuscript evidence, ancient prophecy, doctrinal understanding of the Trinity, and relevant theological insights. 2. Context of the Crucifixion and Jesus’ Cry Jesus uttered these words during His crucifixion, at “about the ninth hour” (Matthew 27:46). Historical sources and archaeological studies confirm Roman crucifixion practices in first-century Judea, corroborating the Gospel accounts. Tacitus, Josephus, and other external writings attest to the historical reality of Jesus’ life and crucifixion, while Church historians trace early Christian communities that held this event as central to their faith. In the midst of this brutal execution, Jesus’ declaration resonates with the first verse of Psalm 22 (cf. Psalm 22:1, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”). The alignment of His words with this ancient prophecy establishes a deep connection between the Jewish Scriptures and the fulfillment in Christ’s sacrificial work. 3. The Prophetic Fulfillment from Psalm 22 Jesus’ quotation directly evokes Psalm 22, a prophetic psalm written centuries beforehand. Several points align distinctly with crucifixion details: • Psalm 22:7–8 depicts scorn and mockery from bystanders, paralleling the Gospel narratives. • Psalm 22:16 references pierced hands and feet—remarkably descriptive of crucifixion long before that method of execution was widespread. By uttering the beginning of Psalm 22, Jesus draws attention not only to His anguish but also to the fact that He is the long-awaited Messiah fulfilling what David foreshadowed. Scriptural reliability is underscored by the clear continuity between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament events. 4. Theological Significance of the “Forsaken” Cry On a theological level, Jesus’ words express the gravity of bearing humanity’s sin. Scripture teaches that He who “knew no sin” was made “to be sin on our behalf,” enabling reconciliation with God (2 Corinthians 5:21, paraphrased). While this does not suggest any break in the eternal union of the Trinity, it emphasizes the awful weight Christ shouldered on the Cross, enduring the penalty that sin demands. From a doctrinal standpoint, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit remain one in essence. Yet in Jesus’ human experience on the cross, He subjected Himself to the judgment and separation sin entails, though without ceasing to be divine. This profound mystery illustrates both the severity of sin’s consequences and the depths of divine love. 5. Understanding the Trinity and the Dual Nature of Christ Jesus’ statement must also be viewed through the lens of His dual nature—fully God and fully man (cf. John 1:1,14). As God the Son, He is eternally co-equal with the Father. As a man, He experienced genuine human emotions and sufferings. This dual nature is consistently attested across New Testament manuscripts, which display remarkable textual reliability, as demonstrated by centuries of scholarly research and critical comparison. From a philosophical and behavioral science perspective, this interplay of deity and humanity accounts for both His capacity to empathize with human suffering (Hebrews 4:15) and His authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:7–10). The cry of “forsaken” underscores that Jesus authentically participated in the depth of human suffering without forfeiting His divine nature. 6. Connection to the Atonement Through the Atonement, Jesus took upon Himself the sin of the world. Romans 5:8 describes God’s love in that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The separation or sense of divine withdrawal Jesus experienced on the cross is the outworking of bearing humanity’s guilt. His words reveal the cost of redemption, highlighting the magnitude of grace extended to all who believe. Early Christian writings, such as those by Ignatius and Polycarp, echo the understanding that Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are central, historically grounded events. Archaeological findings (e.g., the 1st-century ossuaries and inscriptions referencing Jesus’ early followers) bolster confidence that what is described in the Gospels is not myth but history. 7. Scriptural Consistency and Manuscript Evidence Regarding the textual record of Matthew 27:46, numerous Greek manuscripts, such as Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, preserve its wording consistently, showing a high level of textual stability over centuries. These sources, along with scholarly studies by experts in biblical manuscripts, attest that the statement “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” is neither a scribal insertion nor an alteration. Its presence in multiple textual witnesses across different regions underscores its authenticity. Such manuscript fidelity supports the conclusion that Jesus truly spoke these words, and the Gospel of Matthew accurately records them. The continuity of this event in Mark as well (Mark 15:34) further demonstrates the reliability of multiple eyewitness or near-eyewitness testimony. 8. Philosophical Reflection and Purpose From a philosophical standpoint, questions often arise about the problem of evil, suffering, and divine presence. Jesus’ cry addresses these existential concerns: Though God remains sovereign, the Incarnation allows for a profound divine identification with human anguish. Far from being a contradiction, it demonstrates the full relational nature of God. Christ’s suffering and apparent “forsaken” moment become a pinnacle example of empathy for all who feel abandoned or in despair. Additionally, this event illuminates the behavioral and existential purpose of humanity: to acknowledge that only through Christ’s salvific work can we be reconciled to our Creator. Even in our darkest moments, we can find hope in the God who willingly bore such suffering on our behalf. 9. Modern-Day Reflections and Practical Application Miraculous healings, transformations of lives, and testimonies throughout church history continue to point to the relevance of Jesus’ sacrifice. Scientific and philosophical arguments for intelligent design, such as the complexity of biological systems, also reinforce that this crucified and risen Savior is the Creator God who intimately knows and loves His creation. Believers, taking cues from the reality of the Cross, are encouraged to trust that even in times of intense suffering, God is present and has secured ultimate victory through the resurrection (Romans 8:38–39). This aligns hope and confidence with an unchanging divine promise. 10. Conclusion Jesus’ anguished words, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” do not undermine His deity, nor do they suggest a permanent rupture in the Trinity. Rather, they reflect His fulfilling of the Messianic prophecy of Psalm 22, demonstrate His genuine human experience of suffering, and illustrate the immeasurable cost of our redemption. The consistent and well-documented manuscripts of Matthew’s Gospel show these words to be historically and theologically authentic. In them, we see the profound mystery of the Incarnation: Jesus, fully God and fully man, assuming humanity’s guilt and suffering the weight of sin so that reconciliation and salvation would be made available to all. This is the heart of the Christian proclamation—a God who does not remain distant but enters into our suffering to redeem and restore us. Thus, Christ’s exclamation upon the cross stands as both fulfillment and revelation: It is the victorious consummation of prophecy, the deepest expression of redemptive suffering, and a resounding call for every person to behold the love and sacrifice of the Messiah, who is eternally one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. |
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