Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Jun 1, 2007 1:17:30 GMT -5
“My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?”
Both Matthew and Mark recorded these words cried out by Jesus on the cross. These same words occur interesting enough in the opening verse of the Twenty Second Psalms. Yet neither Matthew nor Mark referred to them as a fulfilment of prophecy and after six hours of agony in body and soul on the cross, this cry escapes from our Saviours lips. There were not many words spoken by Jesus while he was on the cross. The words he did say, are recorded specifically.
His first words were,
“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” - a prayer for pardon.
His second proclamation made was a promise of peace.
“Today you shall be with me in Paradise"
His third decree was one of kindness to and for his mother.
“Woman behold thy son… son behold thy mother.”
When the darkness had fallen, three last announcements where uttered. They followed in rapid succession.
“I thirst”
“It is finished”
“Father into thy hands I commend my spirit”
Then, there was this cry of sorrow.
“My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?
There is something of extraordinary power and feeling in these words of Jesus on the Cross. This is obvious from the fact that both Matthew and Mark have diligently given the words in the language our Lord used.
“Eli Eli, lama Sa-bach-thani”
Nowhere else in Scripture do we find this recurrence of these words except in the Twenty Second Psalm? The cry expresses suffering that was never at any other time felt in this world and I believe, never will again.
To the historian, to the poet or the theologian, the description and the language of these words in Psalms 22 might suggest it could have been either history or prophecy.
Matthew and Mark may have not recognised the connection. However, Jesus, a learned scholar of the Scriptures from a very young age, would have known the Psalms well. He said many times through out His ministry “it is written”.
To the believer, nevertheless, this cry is a revelation of the deep suffering and anguishes our Saviour bore, and a proof of His infinite love for sinners.
It challenges us, with all the saints, to be strong to understand what is,
‘..the length and breadth and height and depth of the love of God”…
Ephesians 3:18 & 19 KJV
If the cross is the fundamental Truth of the New Testament, this cry is the heart of this truth and its inmost expression. This is the Holy of Holies to the reverent reader of the story of the passion.
Note:
After I had written 'A Hill with a View', for my cross challenge entry, I felt the Lord wanted me to look deeper into these words. This is the result of my findings. I pray this piece will bless the reader, as my Lord has blessed me through this time of research and writing, on this subject.
© Chrissy Siggee 6th September 2006
Both Matthew and Mark recorded these words cried out by Jesus on the cross. These same words occur interesting enough in the opening verse of the Twenty Second Psalms. Yet neither Matthew nor Mark referred to them as a fulfilment of prophecy and after six hours of agony in body and soul on the cross, this cry escapes from our Saviours lips. There were not many words spoken by Jesus while he was on the cross. The words he did say, are recorded specifically.
His first words were,
“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” - a prayer for pardon.
His second proclamation made was a promise of peace.
“Today you shall be with me in Paradise"
His third decree was one of kindness to and for his mother.
“Woman behold thy son… son behold thy mother.”
When the darkness had fallen, three last announcements where uttered. They followed in rapid succession.
“I thirst”
“It is finished”
“Father into thy hands I commend my spirit”
Then, there was this cry of sorrow.
“My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?
There is something of extraordinary power and feeling in these words of Jesus on the Cross. This is obvious from the fact that both Matthew and Mark have diligently given the words in the language our Lord used.
“Eli Eli, lama Sa-bach-thani”
Nowhere else in Scripture do we find this recurrence of these words except in the Twenty Second Psalm? The cry expresses suffering that was never at any other time felt in this world and I believe, never will again.
To the historian, to the poet or the theologian, the description and the language of these words in Psalms 22 might suggest it could have been either history or prophecy.
Matthew and Mark may have not recognised the connection. However, Jesus, a learned scholar of the Scriptures from a very young age, would have known the Psalms well. He said many times through out His ministry “it is written”.
To the believer, nevertheless, this cry is a revelation of the deep suffering and anguishes our Saviour bore, and a proof of His infinite love for sinners.
It challenges us, with all the saints, to be strong to understand what is,
‘..the length and breadth and height and depth of the love of God”…
Ephesians 3:18 & 19 KJV
If the cross is the fundamental Truth of the New Testament, this cry is the heart of this truth and its inmost expression. This is the Holy of Holies to the reverent reader of the story of the passion.
Note:
After I had written 'A Hill with a View', for my cross challenge entry, I felt the Lord wanted me to look deeper into these words. This is the result of my findings. I pray this piece will bless the reader, as my Lord has blessed me through this time of research and writing, on this subject.
© Chrissy Siggee 6th September 2006