The Seven Statements of Jesus on the Cross:
Citing a Prophetic Description of His Sufferings
"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
Matthew 27:27-54 (cf. Mark 15:34)
Jesus on the Cross and Psalm 22
Where Are You Lord? (Ps. 22:1-11)
The Complaint (1-2)
You are Holy and Sovereign, You Delivered Our Fathers (3-5)
I am a Worm, Shamed and Ridiculed by Men (6-8)
I Need You My God for Trouble is Near (9-11)
Description of Troubles (Ps. 22:12-21)
Description of Trouble – animal imagery, strong symbols (12-18)
Desperate, Urgent Plea, “Lord, Save Me!” (19-21)
Transition (21b)
Fruits of God’s Deliverance (Ps. 22:22-31)
Praise from within the Congregation (22-26)
Worship from all Nations (27-28)
Worship from the Greatest to the Least (29)
Worship from Future Generations thru the Gospel (30-31)
Was Jesus Literally Forsaken by God on the Cross?
Why Would Anyone Think the Father Abandoned Christ?
· Seems to Be the Obvious Meaning of the Text
· Seems to Agree with Relevant Cross-References (cf. 1Pe. 2:24; Is. 53:4, 12; 2Co. 5:21; Ga. 3:13)
· Fits Traditional Theology
This Theory Misunderstands the Nature of Guilt, Punishment and Consequence
· Define these terms: guilt, punishment, consequence. (cf. Ex. 34:7; Eze. 18:20; 2Sa. 12:10-14)
· Can literal guilt be transferred from one individual to another?
· How does the Bible say we are forgiven? (cf. Rm. 6:23; Le. 17:11; He. 9:11-14, 22; Ro. 3:21-26)
What Did Jesus Suffer for Us on the Cross?
· Temporary separation from the Father? (cf. Is. 59:1-2; Ha. 1:13; 1Jn. 1:5-6)
· Eternal separation from the Father? (cf. Co. 3:1; Lk. 23:43)
· Physical punishment for our sins? (cf. Is. 53:4-12)
What About Jesus’ Statement and 2Corinthians 5:21?
· The abandonment is illusory, as seen in Psalm 22. (cf. Ps. 22:24)
· 2Corinthians 5:21 tells us Jesus became sin (i.e. a sin-offering), but does not tell us “how.”
· Jesus cited Psalm 22, a prayer for deliverance, just prior to His death.
(cf. Mk. 16:25, 33-34; Lk. 23:44-46)