The Controversy 4th Word of the Cross
I invite you to read Mark 15:34. There we find the fourth word of the cross, where the evangelist tried to keep the original spirit of a phrase in its original language. It was a Friday, at approximately 3 in the afternoon, more than 2000 years ago. That day a lament was heard, that day a phrase was heard that caught the attention of those present: "Eloí, Eloí ... Lamá sabác taní".
I am pleased to share with you the interpretation of this phrase, since it is a phrase that has captured my attention for a long time. In addition to having a special meaning applied to all of us who have placed our trust in the Lord. Who at some point has not felt the desire to say ... My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?
The first interpretation given to this expression of our Lord Jesus, is given that same day. The listeners thought: "Look, he is calling Elijah." And then someone said: "Let's see if Elijah comes to free him." This mockery and misinterpretation of the words of Jesus, although it originally came from not having listened well to what Jesus said, had its sustenance in the fact that the Jews believed that before the Messiah came the spirit of Elijah would come before him. Those present, full of irony, believed that Jesus was asking for help, that he was invoking the father of the prophets. They still believed that Jesus was just a religious fanatic and that in that moment of anguish he was raving.
The other interpretation given to this word was given a few years later. And although it is one of the most common interpretations, since it is reflected in many biblical commentaries, I confess that I have my reservations with such interpretation. This interpretation is that Jesus was literally abandoned by God. God turned his back on him, since at that moment Jesus was carrying the sin of all mankind upon himself. This interpretation, although it has its biblical foundations, which it affirms is that "for us it was made sin" and that "it took our sin on itself". But no biblical text can assure that at some point of the cross God the Father turned his back on the Son and if so, at what moment did it happen?
Jesus was the immaculate and spotless lamb, he never committed sin. Although "he bore our sin" (Isaiah 53), "God made him sin for us" (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was the paschal lamb, of the atonement and propitiation, the Bible is clear and emphasizes the innocence of Jesus. He was representing humanity. What the Bible does say is that we, humanity, discard it and hide our face from it.
Now, to understand this expression of Jesus you have to go to the Old Testament. Remember that at that time people were very familiar with Scripture. And in the Old Testament is the same expression of Jesus. We find it in Psalm 22, which begins by saying: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Now, the questions arise. Why quote a psalm at that time? Was it part of a kind of script? Was he just quoting to express himself or was there something else in those words? Was Jesus identifying with David at that time? I invite you to take a look at what David says (almost 1000 years before Jesus). In the V. 6 where he says that he is "reproach of men and despised of the people." In addition v. 7 "Everyone who sees me makes fun of me; they twist their mouths and shake their heads, saying: "He has entrusted himself to Jehovah, let him deliver him; save him, since in him he was pleased. " In addition v. 14 "... all my bones got out of joint". v. 15 "My potency dried up like a pot and my tongue stuck to my palate." One of the most revealing v. 16, where he says that they "tore my hands and my feet". And for more surprise: v. 18 "They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my clothing." Hey! David is speaking almost a thousand years before. I do not think it was coincidence that Jesus "quotes" this psalm where we find parallels with what was happening. Besides, I do not think that by chance Marcos and Mateo mentioned shortly before that the soldiers "cast lots on their clothes" and that people shook their heads and mocked him.
This is why I believe that, in order to better understand the expression of Jesus, we must understand Psalm 22. If we relate the words of Jesus with Psalm 22, there are at least 3 teachings of this word of Jesus:
In the midst of anguish and suffering Jesus gives us an example of the use of his Word to feel strengthened. If we start from believing that Jesus felt helpless at that time, at least he did not start to lament and to shout words against the Father. He preferred to refer a beautiful psalm. How good when the children of God, even in the midst of pain, can remember and quote the Scripture, to strengthen us and to be a witness.
On the other hand, if Jesus was quoting in Psalm 22, he was ratifying the fact that David almost 1000 years ago, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was prophesying his passion and death. This gives us an example of trust in God. Jesus was saying, God is still in control, despite the scenario, all that was in the plans and purposes of God. How wonderful, when the children of God, one in the midst of pain can see the purposes of God and recognize the sovereignty of God.
On the other hand, to relate the words of Jesus to Psalm 22 is to demonstrate trust in God. Since in that psalm, in addition to David expressing how he feels, he says: (v. 4-5) "In you our parents waited; They waited and you delivered them. They cried to you and were delivered; They trusted you and were not ashamed". He also says: (v. 22). Jesus, although he felt distressed, knew that the Lord would give him the final victory (v. 27-31) All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will worship before you, because Jehovah is the kingdom and he will rule the nations.
Therefore, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" It is not a cry for help. We are called to help Elijah. It is not the reflection of an angry God who was paying the immaculate lamb his wrath. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" It is certainly a cry of pain and suffering. A cry of relief in the face of a situation that seems to be unjust and outside of God's plans. But it is a cry charged with the Word of God. Loaded with trust in God's purposes and trust in God's final victory. David was still prophesying what is happening today, since, as TLA says, Psalm 22 ends by saying: "My children will worship you; future generations will praise you, and those who will be born later will know that you are righteous and that you do great wonders. "