In what ways does Matthew 27:46 demonstrate Jesus' humanity and divinity? Text of Matthew 27:46 “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” Jesus’ Humanity Displayed • Physical suffering: the loud cry comes after hours on the cross—real thirst, real pain, real exhaustion (John 19:28). • Emotional agony: the anguished “why” reveals authentic human feelings of abandonment, echoing the depth of Psalm 22:1. • Dependence on the Father: calling God “My God” mirrors the way every faithful person prays in distress (Psalm 31:5; Hebrews 5:7). • Identification with us: He experiences the loneliness and darkness that sin brings, though He Himself is sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). Jesus’ Divinity Revealed • Fulfillment of prophecy: consciously voicing Psalm 22:1 shows sovereign orchestration of Scripture written a millennium earlier—only the divine Messiah could fulfill every detail (Luke 24:44). • Authority in suffering: even while appearing forsaken, He addresses God with intimacy and possesses the power to choose the moment (John 10:18; 19:30). • Cosmic purpose: the cry signals the redemptive transaction bearing the world’s sin—a task only God incarnate can accomplish (Isaiah 53:5-6; Colossians 1:19-20). • Preservation of relationship: He says “My God” twice, affirming unbroken deity even in the mystery of penal substitution (John 8:29; 16:32). Old Testament Echo, New Testament Fulfillment • Psalm 22 begins with forsakenness but ends in triumph; Jesus’ quotation anticipates resurrection victory (Psalm 22:22, 31; Acts 2:30-32). • The suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 is now visible on Calvary (Isaiah 53:4-11; 1 Peter 2:24). • The promised Emmanuel—“God with us”—is present even in apparent abandonment (Matthew 1:23; 28:20). Why This Matters for Faith and Life • Confidence in a Savior who fully understands human pain yet remains fully God (Hebrews 4:14-16). • Assurance that Scripture is unified and trustworthy, as prophecy meets fulfillment. • Hope that no believer’s cry of “Why?” is ignored; Christ has voiced it and conquered it. • Worship rooted in the mystery: the cross displays perfect love and perfect holiness in one Person (Philippians 2:6-11). |
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