My God, My God Why Have You Abandoned Me? (Good Friday 2022)

Is this a cry of abandonment and desolation?

How can Jesus who “sees and hears the Father” felt that he is abandoned by the Father? What is the meaning of this acclamation?

Rudolf Bultmann opined that “we cannot tell whether or how Jesus found meaning in it. We may not veil from ourselves the possibility that he suffered a collapse.”

However, just as during the time of Jesus, the cry of Jesus on the cross is subject to misinterpretation.

The bystanders thought the Jesus was crying for Elijah while those who have faith knew there is something more.

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” is the opening verse of Psalm 22. In the context of this psalm the Lord will vindicate the righteous.

“You who fear the Lord, give praise! All descendants of Jacob, give honor; show reverence, all descendants of Israel!

For he has not spurned or disdained the misery of this poor wretch, Did not turn awayfrom me, but heard me when I cried out.

I will offer praise in the great assembly; my vows I will fulfill before those who fear him.

(Psalm 22: 24 – 26)

The Psalmist’s question “why have you abandoned me?” is replaced with vindication because God will not turn his face from the righteous who call upon him.

Thus, when Jesus cried out from the cross, he was crying out with all those, in the past, present and future, who will call upon the Lord during times of difficulties.

In this Psalm 22, Jesus as the head prays with his “body,” the Church expressing their anguish and desolation wrestling with life’s uncertainties and sufferings.

At the same time, in the same prayer expresses his trust in the Father, who hears his prayer and will not shame the righteous among the peoples.

The video below was recorded last year 2021.