Jesus did not simply utter the fourth word of the cross. Matthew says he cried it out in a loud voice "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mat.27:46)

Around noon, a darkness fell over the whole land, lasting three hours. By the time the darkness subsided, at three o'clock in the afternoon Jesus called out these words. Nature and creation also testify to what God says and does. Judgment is coming upon the world. Without God, there is only darkness. All the sin of the world is now laid on Jesus. He sacrifices himself for people.

Jesus was used to praying with words from the Bible book of Psalms. His cry is a literal quotation of the first words of Psalm 22. Did Jesus intend to pray the entire psalm, but was too weak to do so? Or did he pray the rest of the psalm in silence?
Psalm 22 is about someone who suffers righteously and continues to trust in the protection of God. He prays "My God, My God. Because Jesus prays these psalm words, we know that with Him there is no rebellion or despair in these final moments, but of a complete and profound desolation.

In Gethsemane and on the cross, Jesus experienced and bore all the pain of people's sin. Total solitude Jesus suffered for you and me. What an amazing God we have!

Around noon, a darkness fell over the whole land, lasting three hours. By the time the darkness subsided, at three in the afternoon Jesus called out these words. Nature and creation also bear witness to what God says and does. Judgment is coming upon the world. Without God, there is only darkness. All the sin of the world is now laid on Jesus. He sacrifices Himself for people.

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