“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” (Matthew 27:46, NKJV)

As we approach Calvary, we tread on most holy ground. I don’t think humans can fully grasp everything that happened spiritually, mentally, and morally when Jesus was crucified. On that hill called Golgotha, justice and mercy met. Christ’s death was the only means of reconciling fallen men to God. This grace that would be free to us cost Jesus everything. He suffered excruciating pain at the hands of sinful men, yet He bore no grudge against His persecutors.

But the greatest pain Jesus experienced was not the crucifixion nor even His slow, agonizing death. It was the sense of being completely cut off from God while He bore His wrath against all sin for all time. In that moment when Jesus became sin for us, He cried out with a loud voice, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” He quoted the first line from Psalm 22, which was a messianic psalm of David. Never had He known such separation from His Father. This was likely the cup Jesus spoke of in Gethsemane. Psalm 22 goes on to describe the very sufferings of Jesus.

“I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws. You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” (Psalm 22:14–18, NKJV)

Why did Jesus endure all this abuse when He could have called for more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53) He did it for love. He was forsaken so that we could be forgiven.

Every communion service reminds us of the full extent of His love for us. Charles Spurgeon proclaimed the Gospel in four words: “Christ died for me.” What can we do in return? Believe in Jesus and surrender our lives to God. God has done the work of our salvation, but Jesus wants to be our first love.