And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46
Not My Father, but My God.
For me, it is the most wrenching part of the crucifixion story. In those moments of supreme, inconceivable anguish, the fellowship and intimacy Jesus Christ shared with God the Father was broken.
Jesus was alone.
Separated.
Abandoned.
Forsaken.
Because Jesus willingly, voluntarily endured the full wrath of a holy God, wrath rightly reserved for you and me, God made us a promise. "For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”" (Heb. 13:5)
Never.
The Greek uses five negatives so that we begin to understand that there is absolutely no way God will ever, ever under any circumstances forsake those who are His. We will never hear, "Depart from Me." Or face rejection and renunciation. We will never be forsaken.
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!