Page 1 of 7 My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? Matthew 27:46 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" COMMON EXPLANATION The common explanation has basically three main points and goes something like this: 1) The phrase My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? is a reference to the separation that occurred between God and Christ while Jesus was on the cross. It is emphasized here that forsaken is equivalent to separation. This event is often described or illustrated as the moment that God turned his back on Christ. The crux of this entire explanation hinges upon and builds upon this concept that forsaken is equivalent to separation. This is important to remember and leads to the second point of this common explanation. 2) The separation occurred because Christ BECAME sin for us. Proponents of this common explanation, then move must move to explain why there was separation between God and Christ. The why offered is that Christ became sin for us. The support text cited for this is 2Corinthians 5:21 2Cor 5:21 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. The claim is made that God literally took our sins and made them Jesus sins as he hung on the tree. They state that Jesus took on the guilt of sin and actually in essence became a sinner. Strong emphasis is placed on Jesus BECOMING sin! Statements are made like Jesus knew what it was like to be a sinner, or Jesus experienced the guilt that comes with sin. Additional support text cited is: 1Peter 1:15-16 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. God s holiness becomes part of this explanation. Strong emphasis is placed upon the fact that God in his holiness cannot be associated with sin. The conclusion drawn from combining Matthew 27:46; 2Corinthians 5:21; and 1Peter 1:16 is that Jesus BECAME sin on the cross which forced God in his holiness to turn his back (or separate) himself from Jesus. Matt 27:46 is used to show a separation 2Cor 5:21 is used to show that Christ literally became sin/sinner on the cross 1Peter 1:16 shows that God can have nothing to do with sin. 3) The separation from God is what Christ agonized about in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Page 2 of 7 Once the separation is established in this common explanation and the reasons why this occurred; proponents of the common explanation then race back to the Garden of Gethsemane to further their explanation. Matt 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46 Luke 22:44 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. The claim is made that the agony of Jesus in the Garden, and the reason he sweat drops of blood, was that he was upset and worried about being separated from God the Father for the first time ever in eternity. It is an explanation that is frequently given and frequently heard. I like what Bob and Sandra Waldron said about this explanation The position appears to be a logical one. It seems to hold together well (Appendix 2). However, when taking a closer look at this explanation there is more to it than meets the eye. There are doctrinal implications to this position that unfortunately detracts from the beauty from Jesus last words while on the cross, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? DOCTRINAL IMPLICATION What is often overlooked in the common explanation of the phrase My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? is that there are strong doctrinal implications behind this explanation. Although it is not overtly stated, the common explanation is closely tied to the doctrine of imputed righteousness. In essence this is what the doctrine of imputed righteousness teaches: On the cross God transferred our sins to Christ so they became his sins. This was done so that after the cross God could transfer Christ s righteousness to us so it becomes our righteousness. Consider the following sketch that hopefully helps to illustrate this teaching. Our Sins Christ s Righteousness The doctrine of imputed righteousness, according to the above illustration, has sinful man and a righteous Christ swapping their standing with God via the cross. God made Christ a sinner therefore they claim logically it makes sense that God makes man righteous. Imputed righteousness has God forcing a righteous Christ to be a sinner, and forcing a sinner to be righteous. Bob and Sandra Waldron summarized the imputed righteousness doctrine as God took our sins and placed them upon Jesus so that those sins became the sins of Jesus he actually became guilty of them. This transfer made it possible for God to be just in transferring the [ personal added by SMW] righteousness of Christ upon us so that His righteousness becomes our righteousness, just as our sins become His sins (appendix 2). Imputed righteousness is not supported by New Testament scripture, and therefore an explanation of Matthew 27:46 which advances such teachings would not be supported by scripture as
Page 3 of 7 well. The remainder of this study will challenge the common explanation as well as offer an alternative explanation for your reflection. EXEGESIS ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE COMMON EXPLANATION. Please consider and reflect upon the following: a) JESUS IS QUOTING PSALM 22:1. A key point about Matthew 27:46 is that Jesus is quoting O.T. scripture. Understanding the context of the O.T. quote in many ways unlocks the meaning of this passage and why Jesus quoted it. Psalms 22:1 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? Psalms 22 is a very interesting Psalm. Psalms 22 is from the pen of David but in many ways is a Messianic prophecy. Notice a sample of other passages from Psalm 22. Psalms 22:6-8 Seems to point towards the cross. Matt 26:49; Mrk 15:29-32; Lk 23:35-36. Psalms 22:16 Pierced hands and feet seem to point to the cross. Psalms 22:18 Quoted in N.T. Mt 27:35; Lu 23:34; John 19:23-24 Some of these are rather familiar because of their use in the New Testament. and several clearly point towards the coming Messiah. Jesus quotes from the Messianic Psalm and appropriates this passage for himself. Jesus quote while on the cross comes from verse one. But as in any Bible study, a single passage isolated outside of its context is not very helpful. So let s quickly notice what the context and content of Psalms 22 is. Psalms 22:12-16 Surrounded by evil/trouble. Psalms 22:19-21 David cries out for God to come help/rescue/deliver me. The context of this passage finds David lamenting a condition that himself and God s people had found themselves in. It was a situation where the enemies of God s people were over powering and defeating them. David was lamenting the fact that at this point in time God had not delivered him or Israel from the hands of the pagan world around them. It appeared (from a carnal/physical perspective) that God had forsaken them because evil was physically winning. So concisely put, David was crying out for deliverance. David s statement, My God, my God, why have your forsaken me? is not an accusatory statement but a cry for physical help. It is nothing more than a cry for deliverance. David is crying out to God to deliver them in the form of this question My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? The context and use of the question My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? in Psalms 22 will be very important to the conclusion and explanation we give momentarily. b) JESUS DID NOT BECOME SIN ON THE CROSS. 2Cor 5:21 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Page 4 of 7 The use of 2Corinthans 5:21 to transfer our sins to Christ while he was on the cross, is NOT correct. This is NOT what 2Corinthans 5:21 teaches. Scholars point out that the word translated sin would be better translated sin sacrifice or sin offering. A.T. Robertson states "Sin" here is not the verb. God "treated as sin" the one "who knew no sin." E.M. Zerr comments, Be sin for us means that Christ the sinless one, was made an offering for sin on behalf of mankind (p.54). Adam Clarke states this word, signifies a sin-offering, or sacrifice for sin. Ironically Barnes states, The Greek here is, "For him who knew no sin, he hath made sin, or a sin-offering for us." McKnight also ties this word sin to a sin offering. The concept presented in 2Corinthians 5:21 is not that Christ became sin, but that he became the sin sacrifice for man. There is a big difference between Christ becoming sin or being the sin sacrifice. This is also seen in the context of this passage. The context is speaking of reconciliation through a sacrifice, not a transfer (see 2Corinthians 5:14-15). This is clearly seen throughout the rest of scripture as well. Isaiah 53:1-12 Refers to Christ as an offering or sacrifice. Ephesians 5:2 Refers to Christ as an offering or sacrifice. Hebrews 7:27 Refers to Christ as an offering or sacrifice. Hebrews 9:26 Refers to Christ as a sacrifice The list of passages goes on and on. No sacrifice in the Old Testament, and surely Jesus the fullness of those Old Testament sacrifices, ever actually became sin. The point of 2Corinthians 5:21 is not that Christ became sin but the sin sacrifice for man. He took the punishment that we should have received; he was our substitute. c) FORSAKING IS NOT EQUIVALENT TO SEPARATION. Separation is a term and concept that is clearly defined in scripture. Isaiah 59:2 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. The only way a person can be separated from God is when they have sin in their lives. 1) How do you harmonize Christ being sinless and becoming sin? 1Peter 2:21-22 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." It seems difficult to make this idea fit. On one hand Jesus was sinless but on the other hand while on the cross Jesus became sin; it doesn t fit. 2) If the fellowship between God and Christ was severed because of sin on the cross who/how was that relationship restored? Sin separates the fellowship between God and the party guilty of sin. If Christ becomes sin and separation occurs there is no sacrifice that can
Page 5 of 7 restore that relationship. You have two parties of the God head separated by sin and there is no answer to how that fellowship could be restored. 3) Why would God separate himself from Christ for doing exactly what he was sent to do? God sent Jesus into this world to die for the sins of man. John 3:16; Rom 3:25; 1Peter 1:18-20 It makes no sense for God to send Jesus to die and then when he is about to die turn his back on him - for doing the very thing that was expected of him. Matt 26:39...let this cup pas from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. Phil 2:8 obedient to the death on a cross. Heb 5:8 learned obedience through what he suffered. Christ did what God the Father planned and expected him to do. It is irrational to think that God would turn his back on Christ for being obedient. Forsaking is not a reference to separation. As a matter of fact when Jesus uttered the words My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? God and Jesus were as close, if not closer, than they ever were. There is nothing in this passage, nor anything in all of scripture, that point towards a separation between God and Christ. d) JESUS WAS NOT DREADING SEPARATION IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. Since there was no separation between God and Christ, this is not what Christ was dreading. Christ was not sweating drops of blood because he knew that hours later he would be separated from God. A more likely explanation of what Christ was agonizing over in the Garden was twofold: 1) The pain and suffering he was about to endure. To deny Christ being concerned about physical suffering is to walk on dangerous ground of denying Christ s humanity. Christ was the son of God, but we do not deny his humanity. Phil 2:7 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Waldron observed, He (Jesus) knew more graphically what it would mean to be crucified than anyone else could have known who had not been crucified.(appendix 2). Being the Son of God, deity, part of the God head, he had a greater knowledge of what the crucifixion was like prior to enduring it than anyone else. After all he created man! As mortal man we worry what something will be like because it is an unknown; Christ most likely already had a good understanding and is most likely agonizing over what he already knows. 2) While on the cross appearing as a sinner. The other part of Jesus agony would be what his situation on the cross appeared like. If you will, the shame of the cross.
Page 6 of 7 Isa 53:4 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. Gal 3:13 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree" Christ was dreading the shame that came with the cross and appearing as a sinner. For the first time in all of eternity, the son of God, who was at that time innocent, appeared as though he was guilty of a grievous sin that required crucifixion. The curse of hanging on the tree is that you were found guilty of wrong. Anyone seen or heard of being hung on a tree was assumed to be guilty. Christ for the first time in eternity was counted/considered a sinner worthy of a sinner s punishment. Matthew 27:46 does not teach that Christ agonized in the Garden and sweat drops of blood because of a separation that the cross created between himself and God. CONCLUSION As I hope has been clear, I don t think the common explanation of Matthew 27:46 is correct which is the explanation that has God turning his back on Jesus while on the cross as the purpose for Jesus stating My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? The purpose for this phrase is entirely different than what is commonly heard. Scriptural evidence points away from the common explanation. The purpose is much less complicated and fits much better the overall bible picture than the common explanation. Simply put, when you look at Jesus quoting Psalms 22:1, Jesus is using the phrase My God, my God, why have your forsaken me? the same way David used it; it is a cry for deliverance. The phrase is not pointing out some momentary separation or severing of fellowship between God and Christ. Jesus is simply crying out to God for deliverance. Very similar to what was Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:39 when he stated if possible, may this cup be taken from me. Christ desired deliverance from the pain and shame of the cross, but at the same time was obedient to the plan of redemption, and how thankful we are that Jesus was obedient to the plan. Christ s cry for deliverance much like David s played on the fact that from a physical perspective it appeared that God had forsaken or left Christ for dead. As we know, and is evident from the rest of the New Testament, although it appeared Christ was forsaken by God his resurrection demonstrated that appearances are not always what they seem. This phrase My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? is a cry for deliverance that speaks to the physical pain and the shame that came with the cross. It should, no doubt, help us to appreciate what Christ has done for us. APPLICATION When we understand the events of Matthew 27:46 in its context, there is a beautiful teaching that I believe is often overlooked because of the common (incorrect) explanation given of this passage. Generally speaking it is often noted, and rightly so, that Jesus laid down his life for mankind. Matt 26:53; John 10:17-18; Phil 2:8
Page 7 of 7 Christ s willingness to die for the sins of mankind should never be overlooked, minimized, or can never be overstated because of how marvelous it is. However, if I understand the phrase My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? correctly there is an additional aspect to the cross that is often overlooked. It is true that Christ willingly lay his life down for mankind, but God the Father had to willingly let him die. God the Father was present at the cross. He was there watching his only begotten son be crucified even though he was innocent. He heard the words Christ uttered, My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Do you think it was easy for God the Father to watch his only son die? Do you think it was easy for God the Father to hear those words and do nothing to help his Son? Do you think God enjoyed watching his only son die just because he knew what awaited Christ after the cross? Of course not! Consider this please: Christ appealed to God the Father for deliverance and God had the power to provide it. God had the power, authority, and ability to save his son from evil men, but because of his love for us restrained himself! The Son appealed to the Father, the Father had the ability to provide deliverance, but restrained. And he restrained because of you and me. What amazing love this demonstrates. From a parental standpoint this is astounding at how much it demonstrates God the Father s love for us. Could any physical parent let their child suffer and die for someone else s choices and mistakes if they have the power to stop it? If you are a parent consider that relative to you own children. If they are innocent, suffering because of others, and you had the ability to save them you would. God had the power and ability to save his Son from the cross but God did not. God restrained from saving Jesus and not because he is a terrible father but because he loves all of mankind; he loves you and me. Put in that light I think we can all appreciate what God did for us. Brethren, I don t want to minimize what Christ did for us, but if I understand Matthew 27:46 correctly let us never minimize what God the Father did for us as well. The cross not only demonstrates Christ s love for man but also God the Father s love for man. Shawn Willis