Barry:
The point you raise about Jesus asking why God had forsaken him while he was on the cross is interesting. I, too, have heard the theological explanation that since he took on sin, God the Father abandoned him temporarily. Frankly, I think there may be some validity to that explanation. However, there is another explanation that I have thought of in times past. Did you know that Jesus was actually quoting the following scripture?
Ps 22:1
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?
(NIV)
As you know, Jesus often quoted scripture. I believe this particular quote from Psalm 22:1 was one of many confirmations to us that Jesus was who he claimed to be as the scripture was also prophetic of Jesus' terrible suffering on the cross. In addition, though Jesus did not quote the remainder of the verse, his quote of the first sentence must have evoked thoughts of the second sentence of the verse. Indeed, Jesus was groaning and in terrible pain - and he did it for us. Praise him!
In Christ, Tom |
