How does Matthew 27:46 deepen our understanding of Jesus' sacrifice for sin? Matthew 27:46 — The Heart of the Cross “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” A Cry That Shakes Heaven and Earth • The loudness underscores deliberate intent—this is not a whisper of defeat but an open proclamation heard by all • Addressed to “My God, My God,” affirming unbroken trust even in apparent abandonment • Spoken at “the ninth hour” (3 p.m.), the time of the evening sacrifice in the temple—linking His death with Israel’s daily atonement ritual (Exodus 29:38-39) The Prophetic Echo of Psalm 22 • Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1 verbatim, rooting His suffering in prophecy • Psalm 22 moves from anguish to triumph; by citing the opening line, Jesus signals the entire psalm is being fulfilled in Him • Verse 24 of the psalm answers the cry: “He has not hidden His face from him but has listened”—foreshadowing resurrection victory Bearing the Full Weight of Sin • Isaiah 53:4-6—“the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” • 2 Corinthians 5:21—“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf” • In that moment, the sinless Son experiences the penalty sin deserves: separation from God (Romans 6:23) • The cry exposes the cost: fellowship within the Godhead is, for a moment, disrupted so sinners may be reconciled Substitution—Love in Action 1. Guilt transferred: our sin placed upon Christ 2. Wrath absorbed: divine justice satisfied (Romans 3:25-26) 3. Righteousness granted: His perfect life credited to believers (Philippians 3:9) 4. Access opened: the temple veil torn immediately after (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing free entry into God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19-20) The Depth of His Identification with Us • Hebrews 4:15—He sympathizes with every human weakness, including feelings of God-forsakenness • No circumstance, however dark, lies outside His experiential understanding • Because He was truly abandoned, believers can be assured, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5) The Triumph Hidden in the Darkness • Darkness from noon to 3 p.m. (Matthew 27:45) reflects judgment falling on the Sin-Bearer • Yet that same darkness masks the greatest victory: sin judged, Satan defeated (Colossians 2:14-15) • The cry signals not despair but completion of redemptive mission, soon followed by “It is finished” (John 19:30) What This Means for Us Today • Our forgiveness is not sentimental; it was purchased at infinite cost • Assurance rests on an objective act in history, not on fluctuating feelings • When guilt accuses, remember the forsaken cry—your debt is paid • When God seems distant, recall that Christ went through true abandonment so you never will Summary Matthew 27:46 pulls back the veil on what our sin required and what divine love provided. In that piercing cry, we witness the holy Son absorbing abandonment, fulfilling prophecy, and securing eternal reconciliation for all who trust Him. |
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