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The first line of Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” has grounded Christian understandings of the death of Jesus ever since the writing of the Gospels. When Jesus utters them on the cross in Mark 15:34, we find ourselves reaching for questions in a forest of theological answers.
While scholars have debated the reason for the presence of these words in the gospels, Christian teaching often finds in them a point of theological focus. We hear that God’s hatred of sin requires that Jesus be left alone on the cross because he has become, or taken on, all of humanity’s sin. They are to be a reminder of the deep theological meaning of Jesus’ suffering.
Yet, I believe they more accurately convey the deep pastoral meaning of Jesus’ suffering. They are words of comfort to those, like the righteous sufferer of Psalm 22, who feels as if God has abandoned them “in their groaning.” They were offered as a peace assurance to Jesus’ family grieving at the foot of the cross. They were written to Christ’s early followers undergoing turmoil. And they provide contemporary believers with a salient reminder of God’s love. But how could this be, if they signify God’s abandonment in the presence of sin?
Following the lead of scholars like Ched Myers, I think that Mark’s Jesus invoked the first line of Psalm 22 because it is a prologue to Good News. Psalm 22 begins with the palpable experience of suffering and isolation in persecution, but it ends with the assurance of God’s deliverance and presence with the praising community. When rabbis quoted the first line of a book or prayer (and Jesus was called rabbi in Mark) they alluded to the entire book or prayer. Jesus did the same. While many understand these words to be descriptions of God’s action, or a prophecy, or a support for atonement doctrine, I read them as pastoral care and Good News. Jesus is not questioning God, but is echoing the Psalmist’s confidence in God’s love despite feelings of desperation.
Today is a day of sadness, for it is the day we remember Jesus the Christ’s suffering. As we recite these words, may we confidently join with the Psalmist and acknowledge: “For God did not despise the affliction of the afflicted; nor hide from me, but heard my cries.” May we have peace.
ANDY WATTS
Associate Professor of Religion
College of Theology & Christian Ministry
While scholars have debated the reason for the presence of these words in the gospels, Christian teaching often finds in them a point of theological focus. We hear that God’s hatred of sin requires that Jesus be left alone on the cross because he has become, or taken on, all of humanity’s sin. They are to be a reminder of the deep theological meaning of Jesus’ suffering.
Yet, I believe they more accurately convey the deep pastoral meaning of Jesus’ suffering. They are words of comfort to those, like the righteous sufferer of Psalm 22, who feels as if God has abandoned them “in their groaning.” They were offered as a peace assurance to Jesus’ family grieving at the foot of the cross. They were written to Christ’s early followers undergoing turmoil. And they provide contemporary believers with a salient reminder of God’s love. But how could this be, if they signify God’s abandonment in the presence of sin?
Following the lead of scholars like Ched Myers, I think that Mark’s Jesus invoked the first line of Psalm 22 because it is a prologue to Good News. Psalm 22 begins with the palpable experience of suffering and isolation in persecution, but it ends with the assurance of God’s deliverance and presence with the praising community. When rabbis quoted the first line of a book or prayer (and Jesus was called rabbi in Mark) they alluded to the entire book or prayer. Jesus did the same. While many understand these words to be descriptions of God’s action, or a prophecy, or a support for atonement doctrine, I read them as pastoral care and Good News. Jesus is not questioning God, but is echoing the Psalmist’s confidence in God’s love despite feelings of desperation.
Today is a day of sadness, for it is the day we remember Jesus the Christ’s suffering. As we recite these words, may we confidently join with the Psalmist and acknowledge: “For God did not despise the affliction of the afflicted; nor hide from me, but heard my cries.” May we have peace.
ANDY WATTS
Associate Professor of Religion
College of Theology & Christian Ministry
About this Plan
Again this year, through an intentional partnership between the College of Theology & Christian Ministry and the Office of University Ministries, we have been able to create and offer a Lenten Devotional Guide to help our campus community prepare for Easter.
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We are truly grateful for all of the individuals who have helped to make this fifth annual Lent and Holy Week guide a reality for our campus community, as it was indeed a campuswide collaboration that includes contributions from students, faculty and staff from across the campus, and even a few alumni. For more information, please visit: http://www.belmont.edu/
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