“Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani?” That Is, “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” - Matthew 27:46.

                The fourth word that Jesus spoke on the cross was the word of anguish. My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? - Psalm 22:1. He was forsaken by the Father in order to bring us to God. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit -1 Peter 3:18. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all - Isaiah 53:6. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God - 2 Corinthians 5:21.                    

             Jesus was forsaken by everyone, even His disciples. Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled - Mathew 26:56. Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing - Matthew 27:41-44. He was forsaken by the Father for the plan of redemption to be fulfilled. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel - Genesis 3:15. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief - Isaiah 53:10. 

            Jesus who was forsaken by all for our own sake had promised us that He will never leave us and forsake us.  He I will never leave you nor forsake you - Hebrews 13:5. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you - Deuteronomy 31:6. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you - Joshua 1:5.    

                                                                   

             

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for never leaving us nor forsaking us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.