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The Father Forsakes the Son

Matthew 27:46 | “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Pastor Jim Quigley

A supernatural, suffocating darkness covered the land from the sixth hour (that is, noon) to the ninth hour (that is, 3PM). It’s as if the whole world was coming undone because of the atrocity happening at the cross. The Son of God and God the Son, the One through whom and by whom and for whom all things were made (see Colossians 1:16), was betrayed and crucified by the ones He created. 

The physical suffering He endured—the brutal beatings, barbaric floggings, the crown of thorns, and the nails piercing his hands and feet when crucified—was certainly intense and painful. The humiliation of being spit upon, mocked, and insulted was another constant torment. But these sufferings combined were nothing compared to the spiritual anguish Jesus experienced.

At the ninth hour, mere minutes and moments away from when He will breathe His last, Jesus cried out—not whispered, but screamed—“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Jesus was in agony because as He hung under that thick, dark cloud of judgment and was bearing the wrath of God for the sins of all believers, He was forsaken by the Father. It was not the physical suffering that made Him cry out, but the spiritual suffering. The eternal Son of God who up to that point had always been in perfect communion with God the Father felt separation and abandonment for the first—and last—time. It was sheer and utter agony beyond our comprehension. 

The forsakenness that Jesus felt was real. It was not fake forsakenness, nor did Jesus merely feel abandoned but wasn’t truly abandoned. At that moment on the cross, the Father really did indeed turn His face away and forsake the Son. This unimaginable agony was necessary in order for Jesus to fully bear the wrath of God reserved for the sins of all believers. This abandonment was necessary in order to purchase the believer’s forgiveness, redemption, and reconciliation with the Father.

And so the beautiful irony is that out of this cry of utter despair comes our greatest hope. Jesus cried out, “My God! I am forsaken!” so that for all of eternity, believers would never have to say likewise. Jesus was forsaken so that true believers would never be forsaken by God. 

Reflection: Consider the depth of forsakenness that Jesus felt on the cross. What does this reveal about the depth of His love that He has toward true believers whom He died for? Spend time thanking Jesus for His suffering on your behalf, for His infinite love toward you who believe, and for the fact that Christ’s true disciples will never experience God’s forsakenness.