“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)
The humiliation of Christ reaches from His miraculous conception to His burial, a period during which He fulfilled His role as mediator between God and humanity. His profound suffering and abasement included taking on human form (Psalm 8:5 with Hebrews 2:7-9), being betrayed by His closest friends (Psalm 41:9 with John 13:18, Luke 22:54-62), and becoming the target of a profound conspiracy carried out by both Jews and Gentiles as well as religious and political leaders (Psalm 2:1-3 with Acts 4:25-28).
His crucifixion elicited public derision, scourging, mockery, stripping of garments, nailing to the cross, and piercing of His side (Psalm 22:16-17 with Matthew 27:35, Luke 23:33, John 19:23, 37). Soldiers divided and gambled for His clothes (Psalm 22:18 with Luke 23:34, John 19:24). He endured scorn and shame (Psalm 22:6-8 with Matthew 27:39, 43). Gall and vinegar were offered to quench His thirst (Psalm 69:21 with Matthew 27:48, Mark 15:23, John 19:29). And His final cry expressed His worst suffering of all—the soul-deep pain He felt from the loss of His Father’s presence (Psalm 22:1 with Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34). These were the events comprising Christ’s humiliation.
Yet even in His deepest agony, His divine sonship remained unquestioned. He addressed God as “My God,” affirming His identity amid unbearable suffering. William Hendriksen notes, “The question has been asked, But how could God forsake God?[1] The answer must be that God the Father deserted His Son’s human nature, and even this in a limited, though very real and agonizing, sense. The meaning cannot be that there was ever a time when God the Father stopped loving His Son. Nor can it mean that the Son ever rejected His Father. And for that very reason we may be sure that the Father loved Him then as much as ever.” For as Christ told His disciples, “Note well, there comes an hour – yes, it has arrived – when You will be scattered, each to His own home, and You will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me” (John 16:32).
God’s temporary abandonment was an essential element of the complete humiliation Christ suffered in order to fully bear sin’s penalty and procure salvation for His people.
Contemplations
- Forsaken yet not utterly. In Christ’s darkest hour, He cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). In times of trial I sometimes feel like I am without the comfort of Your presence. And yet Christ bore complete abandonment from You for me. Thank You for sparing me ultimate separation through His sacrifice.
- Afflictions match affections. My grief in loss equals my delight in gain, so help me die to worldly vanities, Lord, that I may cling to Christ alone. His cross teaches me to detach from fleeting things in order that I may fix my heart on eternal treasures.
- Comfort withdrawn in adversity. Temporal comforts fade in the midst of suffering, and the withdrawal of Your presence with Your Son on the cross is the perfect example of this. Teach me to find solace in You amid my own trials.
- Christ’s soul offering. Your soul sorrowed to death, Lord Jesus, bearing the burden and weight of my sin (Matthew 26:38). As Isaiah 53:10 states, Your soul was an offering. You became a curse for me (Galatians 3:13) in both body and soul. Thank you, Lord, for Your sacrifice that purchased my salvation (Revelation 2:11).
Prayer (adoration)
O eternal God, You are the fountain of all wisdom and love, ordaining Christ’s humiliation for my redemption. I exalt You for Your Son’s descent from virgin birth to the tomb. You are holy, yet You sent Your Son to bear sin’s weight.
I adore You for Christ’s incarnation, lowering himself below angels (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:7-9). Though betrayed by Judas (Psalm 41:9; John 13:18) and denied by Peter (Luke 22:54-62), He yet magnified Your grace. I’m amazed at the conspiracy against Him that united Jews, religious leaders, Herod, Pilate, and the Gentiles (Psalm 2:1-3; Acts 4:25-28) that was all under Your sovereign plan.
His crucifixion consisted of such humiliation—scourging, mockery, stripping, nailing, piercing (Psalm 22:16-17; Matthew 27:35; Luke 23:33; John 19:23, 37). Soldiers gambled for His garments (Psalm 22:18; Luke 23:34; John 19:24), scorned Him (Psalm 22:6-8; Matthew 27:39, 43), and offered Him gall and vinegar (Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:23; John 19:29). I worship You for the fulfillment of Your plan of redemption that displayed both justice and mercy.
Darkness covered the land when Christ was made sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Though forsaken, He called You “My God,” affirming His union with You that was never broken. You never stopped loving Him, yet You withdrew Your comforting presence in order to accomplish full atonement. I stand in awe of this mystery, where God forsook God in human nature to secure my salvation.
I exalt You for raising Him, exalting Him above all. Conform me to His image, that I may honor Your redemptive work. You are worthy of endless praise for a level of humiliation sufficient to lift sinners to glory.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture references for Mark 15:34
Ps. 22:1, Matt. 27:46, Luke 23:46, Heb. 5:7, Ps. 42:9.
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 971.
