Mark 15:34

“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Context: This verse captures a significant moment during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

In this verse, Jesus utters a cry of abandonment, expressing a profound sense of desolation and separation from God the Father. It occurred at the ninth hour, which corresponds to approximately 3 p.m. according to the Jewish reckoning of time. The darkness that covered the land from noon to 3 p.m. during Jesus’ crucifixion heightened the somber atmosphere.

The words Jesus spoke, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” are Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus and many people in Palestine at that time. These words can be translated as “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This quote is a direct reference to Psalm 22:1, written by King David, which begins with the same phrase. By invoking this psalm, Jesus not only expressed His own anguish but also drew attention to the prophetic significance of His suffering and its fulfilment in Scripture.

It’s important to note that Jesus’ cry does not imply a permanent separation or a literal abandonment by God. Rather, it highlights the weight of sin that Jesus bore on the cross. As the sinless Son of God, Jesus willingly took upon Himself the sins of humanity, enduring the separation from the Father that sin necessitates. This separation was a crucial aspect of the redemptive work of Jesus, who willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus’ cry of abandonment reveals the depth of His identification with human suffering and the magnitude of His sacrifice. It demonstrates His willingness to bear the consequences of sin on behalf of humanity. It is through His death and resurrection that salvation and reconciliation with God become available to all who place their faith in Him.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus’ profound sacrifice and the love that motivated Him to endure the cross. It also encourages believers to approach God with their own feelings of abandonment or despair, knowing that Jesus, through His own experience, empathises with their struggles and offers a way to find hope and reconciliation with God.