Why was this said?

[Imamom]

My God, My God why has thou forsaken me? Why did Jesus ask this on the cross before he died? Jesus understood his purpose and Gods will.

Many years ago I asked this question. I was given an answer but can find no scripture to back it up nor do I remember who gave this answer to ask them about it. I was answered that it's because at the moment when Jesus took on the sins of man that God had to turn his head away because he can't look on sin. How sad that God would have to look the other way at this time rather than give a firm embrace. At that time I took it as fact that this answer was correct but now in my journey I am curious about the real reason for Jesus question.

[Work in Progress]

Jesus, at that moment, was fully experiencing our spiritual death (in place of us) - totally cut off from God. It had to be agony, and he cried out in agony.

[Imamom]

Yes, this does come to me as a cry of agony. How much more my heart aches that mankind had brought this on. And it does follow to an extent what I have heard in the past. That Jesus was completely seperated from God at that moment. What I wonder is if there is scripture that relates to this?

Thank you so much for responding Work In Progress.

[ayin jade]

That is the first line of psalm 22, a messianic psalm. Even in death, Jesus was saying "here I am".

Below is a portion of a study I did of that psalm. I hope this helps.

This is a Messianic psalm said to have been composed by David. The scene depicts Jesus on the cross. It is not known on what occasion the psalm was written. It is expressive of the feelings of a pious sufferer, - of one who appears to be forsaken by God and by man. We cannot determine on which one of these trials of David

[Guest NewPilgrim]

The only other reference to these words in the bible is in Psalm 22

Psa 22:1  To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

The same chapter goes on to read:

Psa 22:7  All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

Psa 22:8  "He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"

Psa 22:14  I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;

Psa 22:15  my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.

Psa 22:16  For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet--

Psa 22:17  I can count all my bones-- they stare and gloat over me;

Psa 22:18  they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Jesus words not only expressed his own anguish at being spiritually separated from the Father, but fulfilled this prophecy; note the description of his body, bones etc... the pierced hands and feet and casting lots for clothing, all accounted for in the gospels.

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Its also worth noting that in Psalm 22:1 The words:

" Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? "

read like this, in Hebrew;

"rachowq y@shuw`ah dabar sh@agah"

"y@shuw'ah" is the root word from which the name "Yeshua" (Jesus) came and "dabar" which means "word", is Jesus' title in his Old Testament appearances (His full title is "Dabar Yah" - Word of God) such as in Gen 15.

It makes me wonder if we see here and intimate entwining of those two titles, shown in prophecy....

I'm not very good at hebrew, but perhaps someone could tell me if one could also translate these words as:

"Why are you so far from me, Yeshua the Word, as I cry out (roar)? "

or perhaps that is too far a stretch, I dont know....

[Imamom]

Thank You Ayin Jade and New Pilgrim for chapter 22 in Psalms. Yes, I see the relation between the Psalm of David and the crucifiction. It amazes me the way scripture reiterates itself for the further proof of Jesus identity. How he suffered for me. God is good.

[Fiosh]

I can think of no Scripture that says that the Father "turned His head away" from Jesus on the cross. But the agony in that verse is unmistakable.

I've always heard that for Jesus to suffer our penalty, He had to experience total separation from the Father.

All sense and feeling of the Father were taken away from Him.

This must have been His most intense agony; even beyond the unspeakable physical pain He suffered.

It must have been as if His very soul was torn from Him.

The Scripture does quote Jesus as saying, "I and the Father are one". So it's hard to explain how the Father could actually "turn" from Him.

I believe He, too, must have suffered, as a Father would.

What a God we serve!!! who would do this for us.

( I'm reduced to tears just typing this. )

God bless you,

Fiosh

[One Way]

My God, My God why has thou forsaken me?  Why did Jesus ask this on the cross before he died?  Jesus understood his purpose and Gods will.

Many years ago I asked this question.  I was given an answer but can find no scripture to back it up nor do I remember who gave this answer to ask them about it.  I was answered that it's because at the moment when Jesus took on the sins of man that God had to turn his head away because he can't look on sin.  How sad that God would have to look the other way at this time rather than give a firm embrace.  At that time I took it as fact that this answer was correct but now in my journey I am curious about the real reason for Jesus question.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Greetings in Christ!

You were told correctly.

Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin, that we would become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21).

And, since Christ became sin, or the sin-bearer, God could not look upon Him in that moment (Hab 1:13).

[Imamom]

So it is stated in scripture that God can not look on wrong. Thank you One Way.

Habakkuk 1:13

Thou who art of purer eyes than to behold evil and canst not look on wrong,why dost thou look on faithless men, and art silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?

Fortelling of Christ death and cry.

Psalms 22:1

My God, my God, why hast thou forseken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?

Jesus fulfills prophesy of Psalm 22 and relates back to the Psalm using these words.

Matthew 27: 46

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "El'i, El'i, lama sabach-thani?" that is, "My GOd, my God, why hast thou forsaken me.?"

Jesus had completed his purpose. He had taken on mans sin.

John 19: 30

When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Do you think that is what is meant by God and Jesus becoming seperated? Do you think it is related to the verse in Habakkuk that says "canst not look on wrong"?

What a powerful story of love and sacrifice is the crusifiction and reserection of Jesus Christ son of God. Abraham was allowed by God to spare Issac.

Genesis 22:8 Abraham said, "God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.

Genesis 22:12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."

What a relief that Abraham was obedient, faithful and right in the eye of God and able to have his son spared. God provided for us also the lamb to make us right with Him. He gave us his only son Jesus as this sacrifice. I to become moved to tears in the utter awe of this kind of love.

[Khristeeanos]

It really breaks my heart to hear people who believe in the Trinity say that there was a time when Jesus was not fully God.

Either Jesus was God or He wasn't God. You can't have it flip-flop.