It is easy to read the accounts of the crucifixion and not take them in. Most Christians know what happened and perhaps we feel that rereading these accounts isn’t going to show us anything new. May the Lord deliver us from over familiarity. May we become more and more amazed and moved in worship as we consider God the Son hanging on the cross for us, and God the Son bearing our curse.
Matthew 27:46 is Jesus’ cry of dereliction. He is separated from the love of the Father, and is experiencing his wrath for our sin in our place. This is the first and only time in all eternity that he is separated from blissful fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Yet, while this is a cry of dereliction, it is not just that – there is still faith.
I found a note against this passage. I’ve noted it as something mentioned by Luther, although I didn’t not where he said it.
Jesus doesn’t just cry, “God, why have you forsaken me?” He cries “My God.” Although Jesus is forsaken, the Father is still his God. He still acknowledges that he belongs to God even in the midst of this separation.
While we will never experience this separation from the Father (if we are true believers), there are those times when we feel abandoned and alone. It is hard and those feelings can overwhelm us. Yet, let’s remember Jesus – he still cried “My God.” And so, God is still your God. You can cry to him, not as a stranger, but as your God. Your faith may be weak, but he never ceases to be your God.