A Concord Minute: Forsaken for you

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” Psalm 22:1

On Friday March 29, Psalm 22 was read by many congregations during their Good Friday services. Psalm 22 gives us a glimpse into the human experience of suffering, despair, and yet trust in God’s faithfulness. Composed by King David, this ancient song has resonated through the centuries for God’s people. This psalm provides solace and guidance for countless individuals facing their own trials and tribulations. This psalm is for those seeking God where He can be found: forsaken for you on a cross. The psalm begins with a heart-wrenching cry of abandonment: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These words, later echoed by Jesus on the cross, encapsulate the depths of despair and anguish that the psalmist feels. Where is God? Where did He go? Why has He left me? As the psalm progresses, the imagery becomes increasingly vivid, painting a portrait of physical and emotional torment. The psalmist describes being scorned and mocked by others, surrounded by enemies like “bulls of Bashan” and “dogs”. The agony is palpable, each verse a raw expression of desperation in the face of desertion. Yet, amidst the despair, there are moments of profound trust and declaration of God’s faithfulness despite His apparent absence. The psalmist acknowledges Yahweh’s role as the one who delivered Israel’s ancestors. As Yahweh did long ago, so too the psalmist knows He will not abandon His people now. Even in the face of death, there is a steadfast belief in God’s power to save: “But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.” (Psalm 22:19) This tension between lament and trust in God is a central theme of Psalm 22. Psalm 22 reflects the complex and often paradoxical nature of faith in God, wherein Christians wrestle with their disbelief in God and yet at the same time confidence in God’s faithfulness. Similar to the father who cried to Jesus: “Lord I believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:23-25). In the depths of despair, the psalmist cries out to God with a raw honesty. As is God’s nature, God moves for the psalmist for the sake of His own unfailing love and faithfulness. Ultimately, Psalm 22 foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. As Jesus uttered the opening words of this psalm in His darkest hour, He was forsaken by His Father. At the cross, a great mystery is present: the Son is left for dead by His Father. Why? Because Jesus is forsaken for you! You were to be on that cross, forsaken by God, left for dead. But through Christ’s sacrificial death, you now have life in Him. Christ is forsaken for you. That makes this Friday truly Good for you.