Jesus, Why Have You Forsaken Me? Understanding The Depth Of His Sacrifice
In moments of deep pain and suffering, one question often rises from the heart: "Jesus, why have You forsaken me?" These words, spoken by Yeshua (Jesus) as He hung on the cross, echo a cry of abandonment and despair. For Messianic Jews, this powerful question holds profound meaning and connects to the deep suffering and ultimate victory of the Messiah.
But why did Yeshua, the Son of God, cry out in such anguish? What does it mean for us today? To understand the depth of His sacrifice, we must turn to the Tanakh, where God’s promises, prophecies, and foreshadowings of the Messiah unfold.
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A Cry of Abandonment Rooted in the Tanakh
When Yeshua cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46), He wasn’t just expressing personal agony—He was quoting Psalm 22, a prophetic song of suffering written by King David centuries before His crucifixion. This powerful connection helps us understand the magnitude of what was happening in those final moments.
Psalm 22: A Prophetic Picture of the Messiah’s Suffering
"My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?" (Psalm 22:1)
King David’s words seem to mirror the deep pain and sense of abandonment that Yeshua felt on the cross. Yet, Psalm 22 also unfolds a vision of hope and triumph beyond suffering. It prophesies the victory that would come through the Messiah’s sacrifice, offering a glimpse into the purpose of His anguish.
The Forsaken One
Yeshua’s cry underscores a profound truth: He experienced the ultimate forsakenness—not because He had sinned, but because He took on the weight of the sins of the world. In the Tanakh, God had promised to never forsake His people, yet here, the Messiah, in His role as the suffering servant, would bear the full weight of separation from God so that we might be reconciled with Him.
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
In Yeshua’s cry, we hear the echo of God’s eternal promise—yet this was the one moment in time when that promise seemed broken, because Yeshua bore the sins of all mankind.
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The Purpose of the Forsakenness: Atonement for Sin
The Tanakh reveals that sin creates separation between humanity and God, but it also promises that this separation would be overcome through the Messiah. The cry of abandonment wasn’t a sign of failure but the culmination of God’s redemptive plan.
The Servant of the LORD
In Isaiah 53, we find a prophetic passage that reveals the suffering servant’s mission:
"Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities." (Isaiah 53:4-5)
Yeshua’s forsakenness on the cross was part of this fulfillment. He took on the punishment that we deserved, paying the price for sin and making a way for us to be reconciled to God.
The Sacrifice for Sin
"When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide My eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!" (Isaiah 1:15)
Sin creates a barrier, and God’s holiness cannot ignore it. Yeshua, in His forsakenness, experienced the full consequence of sin’s separation so that we could be restored. He became the sacrifice that bridges that gap once and for all.
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The Victory Beyond the Forsakenness
Though Yeshua cried out in pain, His forsakenness was not the end of the story. The rest of Psalm 22 reveals the triumph that follows suffering, showing that what seemed like defeat was actually the pathway to victory.
The Triumph of the Messiah
"I will declare Your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise You." (Psalm 22:22)
Psalm 22 moves from a cry of forsakenness to a proclamation of God’s faithfulness and victory. Yeshua’s death on the cross was not the final word—it was the means by which He would conquer death and sin, bringing salvation to all who believe.
Resurrection and Reconciliation
Yeshua’s forsakenness paved the way for the resurrection. Through His death, He made a way for us to experience eternal life with God.
"The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1)
The victory over death and sin that Yeshua achieved was a declaration that the forsakenness was temporary. Through His resurrection, we have the assurance that God will never truly forsake us.
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What Yeshua’s Forsakenness Means for Us Today
The cry of "Jesus, why have You forsaken me?" calls us to reflect on the depth of God’s love and sacrifice. In our own moments of pain and isolation, we can remember that Yeshua bore the ultimate forsakenness for our redemption. His sacrifice provides a way for us to be reconciled with God, no matter how far we feel from Him.
The Invitation to Draw Near
In Yeshua’s moment of forsakenness, He made a way for us to draw near to God.
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
Yeshua’s cry of abandonment is a reminder that, in Him, we are never truly forsaken. Even when we feel alone, His presence is with us, offering comfort, restoration, and hope.
Hope for the Forsaken
When we feel abandoned or distant from God, we can turn to Yeshua, knowing that He understands our pain. He endured the ultimate forsakenness so that we would never have to face it alone.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters." (Psalm 23:1-2)
No matter what trials we face, we have a Shepherd who leads us to peace and rest.
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A Prayer of Hope in the Forsakenness
"Yeshua, You bore the forsakenness that I deserve, so that I can be brought near to God. Thank You for enduring the cross and for the hope of resurrection. In moments of pain and abandonment, help me to remember Your sacrifice and to trust in Your presence. Amen."
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Conclusion: Embrace the Victory Beyond the Cry
Yeshua’s cry of "Why have You forsaken Me?" reveals the depth of His sacrifice and the profound love of God. Through His forsakenness, He overcame the ultimate separation, providing us with the opportunity to be reconciled to God and to experience eternal life.
Though He felt abandoned, Yeshua’s suffering was not in vain. It was the pathway to victory, and His resurrection assures us that we are never truly forsaken. Turn to Him today—He is with you, even in the darkest moments.
