The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross 4. The Word of Anguish

Extract

The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross
A. W. Pink

4. The Word of Anguish

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46.
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” These are words of startling import. The crucifixion of the Lord of glory was the most extraordinary event that has ever happened on earth, and this cry of the suffering one was the most startling utterance of that appalling scene. That innocence should be condemned, that the guiltless should be persecuted, that a benefactor should be cruelly put to death, was no new event in history. From the murder of righteous Abel to that of Zecharias there was a long list of martyrdoms. But he who hung on this central cross was no ordinary man, he was the Son of Man, the one in which all excellencies met — the Perfect One. Like his robe, his character was “without seam, woven from the top throughout.”

In the case of all other persecuted ones there were demerits and blemishes which might afford their murderers something to blame. But the judge of this one said, “I find no fault in him.” And more. This Sufferer was not only perfect man, but he was the Son of God. Yet, it is not strange that man should wish to destroy God. “The fool hath said in his heart — no God” (Psa. 14:1) such is his wish. But it is strange that he who was God manifest in the flesh should allow himself to be so treated by his enemies. It is exceeding strange that the Father who delighted in him, whose own voice had declared from the opened heavens, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” should deliver him up to such a shameful death.

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” These are words of appalling woe. The very word, “forsaken” …