One day, as is often the case, I sat in my office, after a long, busy day, scrolling Instagram. I came across a video of a Muslim man telling a story where he spoke to a Christian Pastor, who debated another Muslim man. He asked the Pastor, “When Jesus was on the cross, he cried out, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’… If Jesus is God, how could God forsake himself?” Did God forsake Jesus?
After which the Pastor responded by placing his hand on the shoulder of the gentleman, and said, “You just have to have faith”. The Muslim telling the story, understandably, was not happy with this. I remember thinking, “This supposed Pastor, Debater, who debates Muslims, can’t answer this question? Really?” Far be it from me to explicitly call anyone a liar, but allow me to just cast my doubt on this story. This is, however, not the first time I see this question. “If Jesus is God, how could God forsake God?” The implication being, Jesus isn’t God.
So what are we, as Christians, to do with this verse?
First, let’s take a look at the verse in its entirety:
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Matthew 27:46.
So did God, forsake Jesus?
Let’s consider a few things:
1st – Jesus as a “Rabbi”.
In John 3:1, a man addresses Jesus as “Rabbi”, in other words, someone who teaches the law. This was a learned man who knows the Jewish Scriptures. So it is important to know that Jesus had knowledge of the Scriptures.
2nd – Chapters and verses.
The Bible was not originally written with Chapter numbers and verses. The division of chapters in Scriptures was later added in the 13th Century, with the verses added even later in the 16th Century. In the days of Jesus, a Rabbi would call attention to a specific portion of Scripture by reciting the opening sentence of the portion he would want to call attention to.
Jesus, being a Rabbi, would call attention to specific portions of Scripture by reciting the opening sentence of said Scripture. So what does this have to do with Jesus saying, “My God my God, why have you forsaken me?” on the cross?
3rd – Quoting scripture
Well… it just so happens to be the opening sentence of a specific portion of Scripture. What we, today, know as Psalm 22 starts as follows: “My God, my God, Why have you forsaken me?…” The Jewish people, who witnessed the crucifixion, who knew their Scripture would immediately know that Jesus is calling attention to this specific Psalm. So Jesus is not calling out to God, asking why God is literally forsaking him, but rather, while Jesus is on the cross, he calls the Jews’ attention towards this Psalm.
“If Jesus is God, how could God forsake God?” The implication being, Jesus isn’t God.
Why?
The Question is, why? Why, while Jesus is suffering on the cross, would he think that it is a good time to recite Scripture? It is interesting that Psalm 22 is what is known as a Messianic Psalm. That is, a Psalm with a prophetic nature, specifically pertaining to the Messiah. What is more interesting, is Psalm 22 seems to describe the way that the Messiah would be tortured. “For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet — I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” (Verses 16 – 18)
So Jesus, a Jewish Rabbi, calls attention to a Psalm that prophetically speaks about the Messiah’s hands being pierced, while He is on the cross, with His hands pierced. Seems like Jesus wants them to see that He is the fulfillment of this prophecy. Jesus is essentially saying, to the Jews specifically, that He is their Messiah. Furthermore by extension to us, the gentiles, He has become our Messiah. The Scriptures confirm it, and Jesus is calling everyone to himself. And if we repent and place our faith in Him, we will be saved.
In Conclusion:
What I would say to this Muslim man, is simply, Jesus’ words, specifically on the cross, are rich in meaning, and it calls to you to repent of your sins, and to place your faith in Him. He is calling your attention to study and see; He is the Messiah, He is the Christ, He is Emmanuel. And when He calls “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He confirms that this is who he is.
