Fourth Word: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’
“33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lamasabachthani?’ — which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, ‘Listen, he’s calling Elijah.'”
Mark 15:33-35; also Matthew 27:45-47
Personal Meditation:
What does Jesus’ Fourth Word from the cross teach us about faith? About commitment? About love? What effect should this understanding have on our lives?
Questions for Group Discussion:
- How long was Jesus on the cross? In what way did the period seem to change about half-way through? (Mark 15:25, 33-34)
- Why do you think the sun stopped shining? What did it signify? (Mark 15:33)
- What does the loudness of Jesus’ voice tell us about his mental and emotional states? (Mark 15:34)
- What is the significance of Mark 15:34 including a quotation from Psalm 22?
- In what sense was Jesus forsaken? Why must he be forsaken at this time? (Mark 15:34)
- What was the “cup” that Jesus accepted in the Garden of Gethsemane? (Luke 22:41-44)
- In what way does this Fourth Word reveal love? (Mark 15:34)
Prayer:
Father, Lord Jesus, how can we ever thank You enough. In the face of such determined and sacrificial love, our love seems so unworthy. Teach us, teach me, to love You as You love me. Help us to be both able and willing to understand the costliness of real love as You do. In your holy name we humbly come, kneel at your feet, and pray. Amen.