My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34

Familiar words to Christians as one of the seven things our Lord Jesus Christ said as He hung on that cruel cross of Calvary
Let us now look at Psalm 22. Verse 1 starts:
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Yes, exactly the same words! The rest of Psalm 22 goes on to give a graphic description of death by crucifixion and specifically of our Saviour’s death on the cross:

7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him

16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet

18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture

Psalm 22

Psalm 22 is a great example of one of the proofs that the Bible is wholly inspired by God – prophecy . Centuries before the Roman empire and their invention of crucifixion, we read about it in the Old Testament

I also love how reading the Old Testament amplifies the New Testament. This is the most graphic and detailed description of our Saviour’s exact thoughts and feelings as He bore the penalty for our sins on the cross on Good Friday and it’s found in the Old Testament

Any time I am tempted to complain to the Lord ‘Why me?’, I go back to Psalm 22 and remind myself of the physical and spiritual punishment He took instead of me

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death

17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me

On this Easter weekend, I want to give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, who despite being the Creator of the entire universe (John 1:3) came in obedience to Earth as the perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29) He was made sin for us though He knew no sin (2 Cor 5:22) He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities (Isa 53:5). He came and paid the price once and for all for our sin that we may have everlasting life:

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us

Hebrews 9:11-12

What unfathomable love. Thank you, Lord Jesus