The Gospels record seven statements that Jesus made while dying on the cross. One of them is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” This statement is often misconstrued to be Jesus crying out in despair that the Father had forsaken Him. But nothing could be further from the truth!
Jesus absolutely knew that He was going to be crucified on the cross and be raised again. This is something He explicitly told the disciples many times even though they did not understand Him until after His resurrection. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him. There was no confusion, fear, or uncertainty in Jesus concerning the Father’s love and will for Him in going to the cross.
On the cross, Jesus quotes the first line to Psalm 22. In doing this He is bidding us to understand the cross in light of the whole Psalm, not just the first line. When we do, we see that Jesus’ statement is far from being a cry for help in a moment of insecurity. Jesus is making a declaration that what is happening on the cross is a fulfillment of Psalm 22, which is all about Him and His victory.
Psalm 22:1-5 is a prayer to God for help but also a declaration of trust in God because of His faithfulness in the past. Verses 6-8 mention the people who ridiculed Jesus while He was dying as recorded in Matthew 27:29-34. Verses 9-11 declare, once again, His complete trust in God who has been His God from the womb. In verses 12-18 Jesus is close to death, and He specifically says that His hands and His feet have been pierced as well as describing the soldiers who cast lots for His clothing.
In verse 21 everything changes. It is the turning point in the psalm. Verse 21 is a declaration of joy and thanks that God has answered His prayer! The rest of the Psalm is a song of praise to God for His deliverance. Verse 24 even expressly says, contrary to what is commonly taught concerning the cross that, “He(God) has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He(God) hidden His face from Him(Jesus).” Jesus is not worried or confused about what is happening. He is boldly declaring His victory and the victory of the kingdom of heaven that He accomplished on the cross. In triumph, verse 27-28 says, “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations.”
This is what Jesus is saying when He quotes the first line from Psalm 22 on the cross. He is the victorious King, ruler of heaven and earth!
Glory to the Lord of hosts!
His mercy endures forever!
Pastor Flynn
