When Jesus hung on the cross, He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). At first glance, these words might make it seem like Jesus felt abandoned or that His mission had failed. Some people might even wonder if He was doubting God in His final moments. But the truth is much deeper and more meaningful. Jesus wasn’t expressing failure—He was actually quoting the opening line of Psalm 22, a powerful Old Testament passage that points directly to His purpose as the Messiah. Let’s break this down in simple terms and see how Psalm 22 connects to Jesus’ mission.
The Moment on the Cross
Imagine the scene: Jesus had been betrayed, beaten, and nailed to a cross. The pain was unbearable, and the weight of humanity’s sins rested on Him. In that moment of agony, He shouted those famous words from Psalm 22:1: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” To someone watching, it might have looked like Jesus was giving up. But Jesus wasn’t just speaking out of despair—He was intentionally pointing to a bigger story.
In Jewish tradition, quoting the first line of a psalm was a way of bringing the entire psalm to mind. It’s like when we hear the opening line of a familiar song and instantly recall the rest. By saying these words, Jesus was directing people to Psalm 22, written hundreds of years earlier by King David. This psalm describes suffering but also victory, and it eerily matches what Jesus went through on the cross.
Psalm 22: A Prophecy of the Cross
Psalm 22 is often called a “messianic psalm” because it predicts details about the Messiah’s suffering and triumph. Let’s look at some key parts and how they connect to Jesus:
- The Cry of Abandonment (Psalm 22:1)
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me?”
On the cross, Jesus took on the sins of the world. In that moment, He experienced a separation from God the Father—a spiritual agony deeper than the physical pain. This wasn’t because God had truly abandoned Him, but because Jesus was bearing the punishment we deserved. His cry echoes the psalm and shows He was fulfilling a divine plan. - Mocking and Rejection (Psalm 22:6-8)
“All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. ‘He trusts in the Lord,’ they say, ‘let the Lord rescue him.’”
This matches what happened to Jesus perfectly. The crowd, the religious leaders, and even the soldiers mocked Him, saying things like, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah” (Luke 23:35). Psalm 22 predicted this rejection centuries before it happened. - Physical Suffering (Psalm 22:14-17)
“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint… My mouth is dried up… They pierce my hands and my feet.”
These verses describe crucifixion in shocking detail—before crucifixion was even invented as a form of execution! Jesus’ hands and feet were pierced by nails, His body was stretched and broken, and He cried out in thirst (John 19:28). Psalm 22 paints a vivid picture of what He endured. - The Victory at the End (Psalm 22:22-31)
“I will declare your name to my people… All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord.”
The psalm doesn’t end in despair—it turns to praise and triumph. It speaks of God’s ultimate victory and how all nations will come to know Him. This points to Jesus’ resurrection and the spread of the gospel. His death wasn’t the end; it was the beginning of salvation for the world.
Why Did Jesus Quote Psalm 22?
By quoting Psalm 22, Jesus was showing that His suffering wasn’t random or a sign of failure—it was part of God’s plan. He wanted those around Him (and us today) to see that the Scriptures were being fulfilled. The religious leaders who knew the Psalms would have recognized the connection, even if they didn’t fully understand it at the time. Jesus wasn’t a helpless victim; He was the promised Savior, willingly laying down His life.
This moment also shows Jesus’ humanity. He felt the weight of suffering and expressed it honestly, just as David did in Psalm 22. Yet, He trusted God completely, knowing the victory that would follow. His cry wasn’t a complaint—it was a declaration of purpose.
What It Means for Us
So, was Jesus a failure on the cross? Not at all. His words might sound like defeat to someone who doesn’t know the whole story, but they actually reveal His mission’s success. Psalm 22 ties the Old Testament to the New Testament, showing that Jesus’ death was the climax of God’s plan to save humanity. He faced the worst suffering imaginable, yet He triumphed over sin and death when He rose again.
When we face hard times and feel like God is far away, Jesus’ cry reminds us that He understands our pain. Psalm 22 teaches us that suffering isn’t the end of the story—God can bring hope and victory out of it, just as He did through the cross.
In simple terms, Jesus didn’t fail. He finished what He came to do. His words on the cross weren’t a question of doubt but a signpost to His mission—a mission that changed the world forever.
Vox Divini 