Jesus’ plea to God on the cross
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”
(which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Matthew 27:46; also Mark 15:34
It was 3 p.m. when Jesus cried out from the cross, and the verse above tells us what He said. How interesting it is to see this Aramaic/Hebrew sentence followed by its translation. This repetition drives home the desperate condition of the Savior, waiting and hoping for God’s deliverance. He had been hanging, bleeding, dying on the cross for six hours, and would shortly die thereafter for the sins of the world.
Did you know that Jesus was actually quoting one of David’s Psalms? “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is the very first verse of Psalm 22. This is a beautifully written Psalm that you should stop and read now or when you’re done with today’s devotional.
Notice the close parallels of what David said in Psalm 22 to what happened to Jesus as recorded in the Gospels (not all references are listed):
- Vs. 16 and Matt. 27:35, Jn. 19:37 – piercing His body (crucifixion)
- Vs. 18 and Matt. 27:35, Jn. 19:23-24 – dividing garments by casting lots
- Vs. 7 and Matt. 27:39, Mk. 15:29 – hurling insults and shaking their heads
- Vs. 8 and Matt. 27:43 – mocking that God would rescue Him
- Vs. 15 and Jn. 19:28 – extreme thirst
Isn’t this amazing?! Only a sovereign God that transcends time could speak through David about what would also happen to Jesus around a thousand years later. This Psalm also encapsulates the thoughts and prayers of many other future believers like us, as we wait on the Lord’s deliverance from or through a particular situation.
What is true for Jesus on the cross is also true for us. God will bring deliverance to believers. No exceptions. The question is whether this deliverance will come in this life or through death into eternity. So, as you cry out to God, “Why have You forsaken me?” “When will You rescue me?” “Why are You taking so long?” – know that He has not forgotten you and His love never fails.
As David encouraged the Israelites, may he also encourage you:
You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
Psalm 22:23-24