#162 Did God Abandon Jesus on the Cross? - Joe Heschmeyer
Apr 15, 2025
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Explore the profound theological implications behind Jesus’ cry from the cross. Delve into the connection between this moment and Psalm 22, challenging the idea of divine abandonment. Instead, discover how this lament reflects a deep communion within the Trinity. Joe asserts that the crucifixion embodies divine love rather than being the most obscene event in history. A thought-provoking discussion that redefines suffering and redemption in a uniquely relatable way.
The cry of Jesus on the cross reflects the fulfillment of Psalm 22, emphasizing divine engagement rather than abandonment.
Interpretations suggesting God's abandonment of Jesus conflict with the unity of the Trinity and the nature of Christ's sacrificial love.
Deep dives
Understanding the Cry of Forsakenness
The phrase 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' spoken by Jesus on the cross is deeply rooted in Psalm 22, which serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of the crucifixion. Some theologians, particularly from a Reformed perspective, interpret this utterance as evidence of the Father abandoning the Son, suggesting a divine separation that implies Jesus was damned. However, this interpretation conflicts with the foundational Christian belief in the unity of the Trinity and raises logical inconsistencies regarding the nature of Christ. Analyzing the entirety of Psalm 22 reveals that it ultimately speaks of God’s response to suffering and vindication, suggesting that Jesus’ words reflect his fulfillment of scripture rather than a moment of abandonment.
The Elect Cry Out
Jesus' reference to being forsaken is tied to his identity as the chosen one, or 'electos,' a theme that resonates throughout Psalm 22. The psalmist expresses ongoing prayer and calls for divine vindication, mirroring the intimacy in Jesus’ address to God on the cross. This context underscores that Jesus’ agonizing cry is not the end of Psalm 22, but rather the beginning of a narrative that culminates in deliverance and praise for God's faithfulness. Furthermore, the emphasis on God’s responsiveness to the prayers of the elect reinforces that Jesus’ suffering is situated within a broader context of divine engagement, rather than total forsakenness.
A Misunderstood Sacrifice
Many Reformed interpretations assert that God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus to achieve atonement, suggesting a moment of divine abandonment that contradicts the nature of Christ's sacrifice. This view raises theological questions about the holiness of God, who supposedly turned away from his Son, and the implications for the perfection of the sacrificial offering of Jesus. Scripture, however, asserts that God finds Jesus’ sacrificial act pleasing, and that the cross exemplifies divine love rather than shame. This highlights a critical misinterpretation of the cross; it should be viewed as the ultimate expression of love and fulfillment of God's promise rather than an event of condemnation, thus solidifying the foundational theme of love within the narrative of salvation.
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Reevaluating the Cry of Forsakenness: The Meaning of the Cross
Joe tackles bad Protestant theology on the Cross and Psalm 22, rebutting those claiming that God the Father abandoned Jesus on the Cross. Some go so far as to call the Cross “the most obscene thing in all of creation.” Let’s test that against the Bible and see what the truth is…
Transcript:
Joe:
Welcome back to Shameless Popery. I’m Joe Heschmeyer. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? The haunting words that echo from the cross as our Lord suffers on Good Friday, they’re a powerful meditation for Holy Week. And as I mentioned in an earlier episode, Jesu...
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