The really answer to this lies in Psalm 22 where it is taken from and we may come to realise that in the pain and distress Jesus was physically in, this statement was more of a cry of faith rather than doubt.
Matthew 27:45-46
Psalm 22
The first clue for us is the language used “MY God” not just “God” – many people cry out to God with no relationship and then blame God for forsaking them. In Matthew 7:21 we are told that not everyone who cries out “Lord, Lord” will enter into the Kingdom of heaven – The language is more like meeting someone and saying “sir, sir” which shows respect but void of personal relationship. Jesus and David both cry out MY God. This shows the deep personal relationship they have with God: He is more than the almighty sovereign God, He is My almighty sovereign God.
Once we see that the language of Psalm 22 is that of faith we see the prophetic picture it paints of Jesus on the cross:
“the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.... they look and stare upon me.....They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Psalm 22:16-18
So if we realise that this Psalm of David was not a Psalm in disbelief but a last cry of faith to God in time of need and then realise the prophetic application to Jesus; we then realise that Jesus’ last cry on the cross was in faith to His Father God to deliver Him.
However even though this was not Jesus doubting God, the truth is that God the Father did forsake His Son on the cross. He allowed Jesus to die so that we may have life. Jesus was not merely just quoting some scripture He was in pain and anguish – the sins of the world were on His shoulders, he had been beaten, bruised, mocked, pierced in hands and feet and left by all who loved Him. At the end of all this he cries out “My God My God why hast thou forsaken me?” – God is still the Father (My God) but Jesus knows this is the final rejection so we can come to Him through the grace of Jesus.
Why these exact words?
1. They show the pain at that moment on the cross
2. They show the people standing that Psalm 22 tells them of Him.
By looking at the full crucifixion of Christ we have seen a man beaten and bruised beyond recognition to take on Him the sin of all. We have seen a man mocked with sayings that were truth but not believed. We have seen a man on the cross in complete agony that He cries out to His Father for deliverance. And we have seen Jesus fulfil all prophecy regarding the messiah.
Finally HE dies on the cross and the veil in the temple is rent in twain (ripped in half); so that we now can call out to God – My God My God. The relationship has been restored we now need to live according to what the God the Father tells us remembering that we have been forgiven by the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-10
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