Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani? – Learn about Jesus' Question
“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” A question that has baffled people of diverse generations.
“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” A question that has received diverse interpretations.
“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” A question (parable) unraveled to His beloved. (Mark 4:11-12)
Why did Jesus ask the question?
After all, Jesus (God in the flesh) is meant to know everything since he created it all and called himself the God, who “declares the end from the beginning”—Isaiah 46:10.
So, how did the Messiah not know the reason God forsook him?
But did God truly forsake Jesus? Considering that God, Himself, said in Deuteronomy 31:6, “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.” Is it then possible for God to ever forsake His very own “Begotten Child?” Moreover, God also said in Isaiah 55:11 that none of His words will ever return to Him without fulfilling what He sent them to accomplish.
In other words, suppose God says, “I will never forsake you.” In that case, the word, “I will never forsake you,” must manifest through God never forsaking you.
So, did anything extraordinary happen during Christ’s crucifixion that prevented God from fulfilling His unbreakable word of “never forsaking His only begotten son?”
Eli, Eli, lama Sabachthani?
Why was it said?
What does it communicate?
For whom has it been pronounced?
Let’s approach the question “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” by understanding God’s promise, “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee”—Deuteronomy 31:6.
Yes, the verse means what it said: “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.” So, we shouldn’t look for ways to refit the text to the events of the crucifixion. God spoke plainly, “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.”
The writer of Hebrews 13:5 also used the verse to remind his audience of God’s promise of never leaving nor forsaking them. So, did God fail to keep His promise at Calvary, or was Christ an exception considering that Jesus is God in the flesh?
Case study: Job and David
The feeling that God forsakes His children dates back long before Christ’s birth.
The book of Job reminds us of the period when God allowed the devil to tempt Job. Likewise, Psalm 22:1 records David’s prayer during his tribulation, when he uttered the exact words as Christ: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
So, suppose Jesus was an exception to God’s promise—what of Job and David? Were they also exceptions, knowing fully well that they were not God in the flesh?
Forsake vs. allow – What’s the difference?
According to the Cambridge English dictionary, “forsake” means “to leave someone forever or to give up completely.” However, “allow” means “to give permission for someone to do something, or to not prevent something from happening.”
During the devil’s temptation of Job, his friends and family believed God had forsaken him. However, the dictionary’s definitions of “forsake” and “allow” show that God never gave up on Job. Instead, Jehovah allowed the devil to tempt him—just as God permitted Satan to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4).
Psalm 91:1 also clarifies that whosoever dwells in Christ shall always abide under God’s shadow—just as children in the womb live in their mother (John 15:4).
In other words, God cannot forsake those who dwell in Him because of the perfect bond that connects them. But He can allow them to experience trials and tribulations. (John 16:33)
Why should one suffer in Christ?
Being in Christ does not prevent God from allowing you to experience challenges. In fact, some of your trials may make people question whether God is punishing you for some sins (John 9).
Furthermore, at Calvary, Jesus validates that the fleshy nature may make you question whether God has forsaken you (Matthew 27:46).
But amidst all pains and deliberations, it pays to commit all to God and avoid sin (Job 42; Luke 23:46). If you are steadfast in God, He who knows it all will publicize to the world that He never forsook you (Daniel 3). Instead, He allowed your challenges so that the world (including the devil) will:
- Be in commotion because of God’s manifested glory (Matthew 27:47-49)
- See that you lived a life perfectly committed to God (Matthew 27:50)
- Be divided on account of God’s glorious manifestation (Matthew 27:51)
- Be assured that Christ has moved you from death unto eternal life (Matthew 27:52-53)
- Fear greatly and testify that you are truly God’s child (Matthew 27:54)
- Realize that they have no understanding of the WORD (Matthew 27:63)
- Know that they have no power to stop you from rising with Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:64-66)
A unique aspect of Christ’s life on earth is that he lived a life of parabolic communication. In other words, he used his life to communicate God’s perfect will.
Therefore, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” was part of God’s divine strategy to parabolically communicate that He feels your agony and tendency to question His love.
However, He wants you to carry your cross and follow Him because He desires to shame evil through you. And He wishes to give you an expected end—if you persevere on Christ till the end. (John 14:1-4)
But will you persevere on Christ till the end?
Prayer point: Daddy Lord Jesus Christ, amidst all life’s challenges, please fill me with your unfailing strength to persevere on you till the end. Amen.
Further study: Hebrews 12