The Beginning of God’s Grace
Copyright © 2021 Ekhosuehi K. Osazuwa
All rights reserved
ISBN: 9798178375112
INTRODUCTION
The Cross Was Not the End; It Was the Beginning
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” — 1 Corinthians 1:18
The cross is Christianity’s most recognized symbol. You can see it on church buildings, worn as jewelry by believers, depicted in works of art, and displayed in places of worship around the world. Yet, despite its familiarity, many people know very little about what truly happened on that rugged hill called Calvary.
To many, the cross represents suffering; to others, it symbolizes sacrifice. Some view it as a historical event that occurred over two thousand years ago. However, for those who believe in Jesus Christ, the cross is much more than just a symbol or a moment in history. It is where justice and mercy meet, where sin was judged, where love was fully revealed, and where God’s eternal plan of redemption found glorious fulfillment.
The cross was not an accident or the tragic end of a good man’s life. It was not a triumph for those who opposed Jesus. Long before the Roman soldiers raised the wooden beams or the religious leaders demanded His death, God had already established His plan to redeem humanity through the sacrifice of His Son.
From the very beginning of Scripture, the shadow of the cross can be seen. After Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God promised that the seed of the woman would one day crush the serpent’s head, even though His own heel would be bruised (Genesis 3:15). This promise became the first ray of hope in a fallen world.
As history unfolded, God continued to reveal His redemptive plan through sacrifices, covenants, prophets, and symbols. The Lamb sacrificed at Passover pointed to the true Lamb of God. Isaac carrying the wood up Mount Moriah foreshadowed Christ carrying His cross. The bronze serpent lifted in the wilderness anticipated the Son of Man being lifted for the salvation of all who believe. Every sacrifice, every prophecy, and every promise ultimately pointed to Jesus Christ.
As Jesus hung on the cross, surrounded by soldiers, religious leaders, grieving followers, curious onlookers, and two condemned criminals, He spoke only seven times. Given the unimaginable pain He endured, each word He uttered carries profound significance. These were not careless remarks spoken in desperation; they were deliberate declarations that revealed His heart, fulfilled Scripture, and completed the work of redemption.
The cross is more than the place where Jesus died. It is the location where God’s love was displayed without measure, where justice was fully satisfied, where mercy flowed freely, and where eternity was changed forever.
First Cry: “Father, forgive them”
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34a
Jesus was led to Golgotha (the place of the skull), where He was crucified between two thieves. The soldiers committed many terrible acts against Him: they divided His garments, offered Him vinegar, and the Jews mocked Him, saying, “If you are truly the Son of God, why don’t you save yourself?” It’s essential to understand that Jesus had the power to save Himself, but what He did was divine; He freely and willingly chose to offer His life for our sins.
As one of the thieves railed at Him, the other repented and believed. In this moment of suffering, Jesus uttered, “Father, forgive them.” He taught us on the cross that we must forgive one another, no matter the circumstances, because forgiveness comes from God.
Forgiveness
As Christians, it is vital to forgive everyone who has hurt us. Just as God forgives our trespasses, we are called to forgive those who have wronged us.
Some may say, “I cannot forgive this person; they have been so wicked to me that I can never forgive.” Dear friend, this perspective is misguided. God cannot forgive your sins if you do not forgive others, and He might turn away from your prayers. Thus, you must forgive to receive forgiveness.
“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
—Matthew 6:15
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have anything against anyone, that your Father also, who is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses.”
—Mark 11:25
Forgiveness should not be questioned based on frequency; you must forgive at all times. Do not say, “I have always forgiven him; this time he has gone too far.” That is wrong; it is not good to repay evil with evil.
When Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” Jesus replied, “I say not unto you, until seven times, but until seventy times seven.”
—Matthew 18:21-22
It may be easy to say we forgive, but true forgiveness requires that we genuinely release the pain from our hearts. Forgiveness is spiritual, but it is essential to forgive sincerely; otherwise, it becomes meaningless.
Forgive One Another.
“Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man has a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” It was not merely an emotional response to suffering. It was a deliberate expression of divine love. The hands that had healed the sick were now pierced with nails. The feet that had walked from village to village proclaiming the Kingdom of God were fastened to rough timber. The lips that had spoken life, truth, and hope now formed a prayer, not for relief, but for mercy.
The first cry from the cross teaches us that forgiveness lies at the very center of God’s plan of redemption.
The Scene at Calvary
The hill called Golgotha, meaning “The Place of the Skull,” was crowded that day. Roman soldiers moved with practiced efficiency. They had carried out many crucifixions before, and to them this was another execution. Their hammers rose and fell without hesitation as iron nails were driven through the hands and feet of Jesus.
Nearby stood the religious leaders. They watched with satisfaction, believing they had finally silenced the One who challenged their hypocrisy. Some mocked Him, saying,
“He saved others; Himself He cannot save.”
Others laughed,
“If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
Passersby shook their heads and hurled insults. Even one of the criminals crucified beside Him joined in the mockery.
Above Jesus hung the inscription written by order of Pontius Pilate:
“Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
It was intended as a charge against Him, but it declared a greater truth than Pilate himself understood.
At the foot of the cross, Roman soldiers gambled for His clothing, fulfilling prophecy without realizing it. To them, the garments of a dying man were worth more attention than the Man who wore them.
Yet not everyone mocked. Standing at a distance were women who had faithfully followed Jesus throughout His ministry. His mother, Mary, watched with unimaginable sorrow. The disciple John remained near her. Their hearts were breaking as they witnessed the suffering of the One they loved.
Why Was This His First Cry?
There is profound significance in the order of Jesus’ words.
His first cry was not, “Judge them.”
It was not, “Destroy them.”
It was not, “Father, rescue Me.”
It was,
“Father, forgive them.”
This was the very reason He had come into the world.
Years earlier, Jesus had declared,
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Even while suffering the consequences of humanity’s sin, His mission did not change. His heart remained fixed on reconciliation.
The people surrounding the cross represented every part of humanity. There were Roman soldiers, Jewish leaders, ordinary citizens, criminals, government officials, and faithful followers. Some acted out of hatred. Others acted out of fear. Some were driven by jealousy, political pressure, ignorance, or self-interest.
Together they formed a picture of the human condition. Sin wears many faces, but it always separates people from God.
When Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them,” He was not excusing their actions or pretending that evil did not matter. Forgiveness does not deny justice. Rather, it opens the door for mercy without ignoring the seriousness of sin.
The prayer also fulfilled His own teaching. During His ministry, Jesus had instructed His followers:
“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
On the cross, Jesus practiced what He had preached. He did not ask His disciples to do what He Himself was unwilling to do. He loved His enemies to the very end.
Notice also that Jesus addressed God as Father. Despite the brutality of the cross, His relationship with the Father remained unbroken. Even in suffering, He trusted the Father completely. This intimate relationship reminds us that prayer is not reserved for moments of comfort; it is often most powerful in moments of pain.
Prophecies Fulfilled
The first cry echoes the words of the prophet Isaiah hundreds of years before the birth of Christ:
“He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12)
Notice the remarkable detail. Isaiah did not merely predict that the Messiah would suffer. He foretold that the suffering Servant would pray for sinners.
At Calvary, Jesus fulfilled that prophecy before the eyes of the world.
Another prophecy came to life as the soldiers divided His garments and cast lots for His clothing.
Psalm 22:18 declares:
“They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”
David wrote these words nearly one thousand years before the crucifixion. The soldiers had no intention of fulfilling Scripture; they were acting according to custom. Yet their ordinary actions became part of God’s extraordinary plan.
The cross reminds us that God is sovereign over history. Human beings make real choices and are responsible for them, yet nothing can prevent God from accomplishing His redemptive purposes.
The Divine Exchange
At the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the consequences of our rebellion so that we could receive the Father’s forgiveness.
He accepted rejection so we could receive acceptance.
He endured condemnation so we could receive justification.
He bore our guilt so we could stand forgiven.
He faced the cruelty of sinners so that sinners might become children of God.
The first cry reminds us that forgiveness is never cheap. Someone always pays the cost. At Calvary, Jesus willingly paid that cost for us.
Second Cry: “Today shall you be with me in paradise.”
And Jesus said unto him, “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43
Jesus Christ forgave the man and welcomed him into Himself. Many people claim to forgive but still hold onto the hurt done to them, using it against the person who hurt them. This is not true forgiveness.
As humans, we can find it challenging to forgive and forget. However, we should not use past wrongs as a weapon against those who have hurt us. Instead, it’s important to genuinely forgive and continue to love them so that God can forgive us too.
Even if you don’t want to maintain a friendship or any relationship with them, that’s okay. Just forgive them and move on peacefully. After all, the Bible says, “Love your enemies.” This doesn’t mean you have to be friends with them; you can forgive those who have wronged you and still avoid their troubles.
Christ died on the cross as a sinner so that we can become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
Reconciliation through Christ
We could not be reconciled to God as sinners because our sins needed to be washed away and forgiven first. Jesus came to die in our place and to cleanse our sins with His blood. The washing away of our sins was essential because man, by nature, is a sinner (an enemy of God), and there was no way for a man to please God without Jesus dying for us (Romans 8:7-8).
The death of Jesus on the cross has brought forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, and salvation to all humankind, especially to those who believe in Him.
Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. ( Romans 5:1,10).
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19.
And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. Ephesians 2:16.
Sometimes, the people we love the most, the ones we would do anything for, can hurt us in ways we never imagined. When this happens, the hurt can be deep, and every time we think of it, we feel pain anew. We may wish for them to suffer for their actions, especially if it involves betrayal from a loved one or someone we have invested time and care into.
Forgiving and moving on in such situations is incredibly challenging. The pain can resurface any time you think about it, and often you can’t articulate the hurt to others because they may not understand. Yet God instructs us to forgive and let go.
You might say, “I think about it sometimes,” which is normal, but you must let it go. “The person doesn’t deserve forgiveness,” you might say, and that may be true, but you still need to let it go.
If you struggle to release your feelings, know that you can do it. Holding onto the anger and pain only harms you further. Let go of the hurt, grudges, and anger as a sign of reconciliation after you have forgiven. Look up to God and find a way to smile despite the pain they caused you. It may be hard, but keep trying, and in time, you will heal.
Those who have hurt you know exactly what they did, and they might try to deflect blame. Regardless, like Jesus, extend grace to them, forgive them, and accept them for who they are. Move forward as a free person and allow God to be their judge.
Why Did Jesus Say This?
Jesus’ response reveals the very heart of the Gospel.
“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Notice that Jesus did not say,
“Perhaps.”
He did not say,
“If your good deeds outweigh your bad ones.”
He did not say,
“After a long period of suffering, you may enter.”
He gave an immediate promise.
The word “Assuredly” (or “Truly” in some translations) carries the weight of absolute certainty. Jesus was giving divine assurance.
The criminal brought nothing except a repentant heart and faith in Christ.
He had no opportunity to be baptized.
He could not restore what he had stolen.
He could not perform acts of charity.
He could not attend synagogue.
He could not live a life of obedience after conversion.
He believed.
This does not diminish the importance of baptism, obedience, or good works. Scripture teaches that genuine faith produces a transformed life (James 2:17). But the thief had no remaining earthly life in which to demonstrate that transformation. His salvation rested entirely on the grace of God received through faith.
His story beautifully illustrates what the Apostle Paul would later write:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith… not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)
The cross teaches us that salvation is God’s gift, not humanity’s achievement.
Prophecies Fulfilled
The second cry fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be counted among sinners.
“He was numbered with the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12)
Jesus did not merely die near sinners.
He died among them.
He willingly took the place of the guilty while remaining completely innocent.
The scene also echoes the promise found throughout the Old Testament that God welcomes those who humble themselves before Him.
King David wrote,
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)
The repentant criminal had nothing to offer except a broken heart.
What This Cry Reveals About God
This cry reveals that God’s grace is greater than our past.
The criminal’s life had been marked by failure.
His reputation was ruined.
His future was gone.
Humanly speaking, there was nothing left.
Yet Jesus saw beyond his past and looked into his heart.
This is the wonderful nature of God’s grace.
Grace does not ignore sin.
Grace deals with sin through the sacrifice of Christ.
Grace welcomes those who acknowledge their need for a Savior.
The second cry also reveals that salvation is personal.
Jesus did not speak to the crowd.
He did not address the religious leaders.
He spoke directly to one broken Man who reached out in faith.
Every person must come to Christ individually.
No one is saved because of family heritage, church membership, religious tradition, or moral reputation.
Each heart must respond personally to Jesus.
Another beautiful truth found in this cry is the certainty of eternal life.
Jesus promised,
“Today you will be with me.”
For believers, death is not the end.
It is the doorway into the presence of Christ.
Our greatest hope is not merely Heaven itself but being with the One who saved us.
Where Jesus is, there is true Paradise.
Lessons for Every Believer
The second cry teaches us several life-changing truths.
First, never assume that anyone is beyond God’s saving power.
The world may see a criminal.
Jesus sees someone who can still be redeemed.
Second, do not postpone responding to God’s invitation.
The thief was saved in the final hours of his life, but no one knows when their final hour will come.
The thief’s story encourages us that it is never too late to turn to Christ—but it also warns us never to presume upon tomorrow.
Third, salvation is received through humble faith.
The criminal made no excuses.
He admitted his guilt.
He acknowledged Jesus’ innocence.
He believed Jesus was King.
He entrusted his eternity to Him.
This remains the pattern of genuine repentance today.
Finally, remember that Jesus always gives more than we ask.
The thief asked to be remembered.
Jesus promised eternal fellowship.
God’s grace always exceeds our expectations.
The Divine Exchange
At Calvary, the guilty Man received what he did not deserve because the innocent Christ willingly accepted what He did not deserve.
Jesus took condemnation.
The criminal received mercy.
Jesus bore judgment.
The criminal received acceptance.
Jesus endured death under God’s judgment.
The criminal received eternal life.
This is the Gospel.
Christ took our place so that we could receive His grace.
The second cry reminds us that salvation has never been earned. It has always been received through faith in the One who died and rose again.
Reflection
Have you placed your confidence in your own goodness, or in the finished work of Jesus Christ?
The repentant criminal teaches us that no amount of religious activity can replace genuine faith. Likewise, no amount of past failure can prevent God’s grace from reaching a humble heart.
Jesus is still receiving those who come to Him in repentance and faith.
Perhaps you feel unworthy because of mistakes you have made.
Perhaps you believe your past has disqualified you from God’s love.
Remember the Man on the cross.
His final moments became the beginning of eternal joy because he turned to Jesus.
The same Savior who welcomed him still welcomes everyone who comes in faith.
Third Cry: “Woman, behold thy son.” “Disciple, behold thy mother.”
When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple standing by whom He loved, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold thy son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold thy mother.” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own house. (John 19:26-27)
When Jesus addressed His mother, saying, “Behold thy son,” He was not implying that Mary is in charge or the head of the Church. The Church has only one head: Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
But it is significant to love and respect Mary as the mother of the Church and earthly mother of Christ. Therefore, if you see Catholics showing great reverence to Mary, try not to feel uncomfortable about it. I used to be uncomfortable, too, until I understood that it reflects what Jesus commanded; However, Jesus did not suggest that Mary should be worshiped in any way, nor did He grant permission to approach Him through her. As a Christian, it is important to understand that Mary is not God and is not part of the Godhead. The Scriptures tell us that there are three who bear witness in Heaven, and Mary is not among them.
“Then said to the disciple, behold thy mother.” Just as God desires parents to care for their children, He wants Christians to care for their spiritual mother, Mary, as well as their earthly mothers.
God indeed wants women to play a vital role in ministry, which is part of the reason for the cry.
Jesus was referring to all who would believe in Him as the Lord and Savior of humanity, urging them to live together in love and care for one another, like mothers and children. The Bible instructs, “let the older ones treat the younger ones as their children and the younger ones treat the older ones as parents.” It also says, “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; younger men as brothers; older women as mothers; younger women as sisters,” highlighting the importance of respect for parents and elders, as this is the will of God. As Psalm 133:1 states, “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren (Christians) to dwell together in unity.”
“Woman, behold your son!” “Behold your mother!”
These words may seem simple at first glance, but they are filled with compassion, responsibility, and love.
Jesus was enduring unimaginable physical pain. Every breath required immense effort. His body had been scourged, His hands and feet were pierced, and His strength was rapidly fading. Yet even in those final hours, He was not consumed by His own suffering. He saw the tears of His mother and the faithfulness of His beloved disciple, John.
In one brief conversation, Jesus demonstrated that love does not become blind to others’ needs simply because they are suffering. True love continues to serve, even in the midst of pain.
The third cry reminds us that the Savior who came to redeem the world never overlooked the needs of one grieving mother.
What This Cry Reveals About God?
The third cry reveals that God’s love is deeply personal.
Sometimes we think of God’s work only in global terms.
He created the universe.
He governs history.
He rules over nations.
All of this is true.
Yet at Calvary we also discover that God notices individuals.
While accomplishing the greatest act of redemption in history, Jesus still paused to care for one grieving mother and one faithful disciple.
This reminds us that no concern is too small for God.
He is the God of the universe, yet He also knows every tear we shed.
He is never so occupied with the needs of the world that he overlooks the pain of one person.
The third cry also reveals God’s heart for the family.
Family is one of His earliest gifts to humanity. Long before governments, institutions, or nations existed, God established the family.
Healthy families become places where faith is nurtured, love is practiced, forgiveness is learned, and future generations are shaped.
By caring for His mother, Jesus affirmed the importance of honoring family relationships.
Yet He also showed that God’s family extends beyond biological ties.
Through faith in Christ, believers become members of one household under one heavenly Father.
The Church is not merely an organization.
It is a family.
Lessons for Every Christian
Love remains compassionate even in suffering.
Pain often tempts us to become absorbed in ourselves.
Jesus teaches us another way.
Even in agony, He noticed others’ needs.
True Christian love does not disappear when life becomes difficult.
It becomes even more visible.
Honor your parents.
One of the clearest applications of this cry is honoring parents.
Honor looks different in different seasons of life.
As children, we honor our parents through obedience.
As adults, we honor them through respect, gratitude, and care.
For aging parents, honor often includes providing practical support, companionship, and dignity.
Jesus demonstrated this perfectly.
Faithfulness matters.
John could not stop the crucifixion. He could not remove the nails. He could not silence the crowd. However, he remained.
Sometimes the greatest act of love is faithful presence.
When others fled, John stayed.
His faithfulness positioned him to receive one of the greatest responsibilities Jesus ever entrusted to a disciple.
The Church should care for one another.
The family of God is called to bear one another’s burdens.
No believer should suffer alone.
The early Church understood this well.
They shared resources, cared for widows, encouraged the discouraged, and welcomed one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
The third cry reminds us that Christian community is not optional.
It is part of God’s design.
The Divine Exchange
At the cross, Jesus experienced the loneliness of approaching death so that we might become members of God’s family.
He bore isolation.
We received a fellowship.
He entrusted His earthly family into loving hands.
We were adopted into the family of God.
He gave up the comforts of home.
We received an eternal home with the Father.
Through Christ, strangers become brothers and sisters.
Enemies become children.
Orphans become heirs.
The cross did more than reconcile us to God.
It also creates a new community united by grace.
Reflection
Who has God placed in your life to love, encourage, or care for?
Are there parents who need your time more than your gifts?
Is there an elderly believer who feels forgotten?
Is there a grieving family that needs someone to stand beside them?
The third cry teaches us that compassion is often expressed through ordinary acts of faithfulness.
Like John, we may not be able to solve every problem.
But we can remain present.
We can love faithfully.
We can carry one another’s burdens.
And in doing so, we reflect the heart of Christ.
Remember also that if you have placed your faith in Jesus, you are never alone.
You belong to the family of God.
You have brothers and sisters around the world.
Most importantly, you have a Savior who sees you, knows you, and cares for you personally.
Fourth Cry: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”
About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
It is important to understand that God did not forsake Jesus; He only allowed Him to fulfill His mission. Jesus was fully human and fully God. As a human, He felt abandoned; as God, He knew He had to accomplish redemption, which He did perfectly.
Jesus once prayed, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me,” but ultimately, He submitted, saying, “God, let Your will be done.” Jesus endured suffering, pain, and death for our sake so that we may live and find happiness. He is now our High Priest who understands our weaknesses and is willing to help us, just as He willingly gave His life for us on the cross. However, we must be willing to accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
If you are going through tough times and feel that God has forsaken you, remember to trust Him. Tough times don’t last; only tough people do. Keep moving forward and do not quit because the path is difficult. No matter how challenging your journey may be, continue onward, as the only way is forward.
Jesus endured His tough road to fulfill His mission, and so can you. God may not always be visible on your path, which means there may be challenges you must face alone. Nobody will take those steps for you or provide the encouragement you seek. If you wait for someone or God to take those steps for you, you may never reach your destination. However, trust that when you take those steps, God will be there to help you achieve your goals.
Remember, the path to victory often involves taking the difficult road on your own.
The Cry That Shook Heaven and Earth
Of all the seven cries spoken by Jesus from the cross, none is more mysterious, more profound, or more heartbreaking than this one.
It is the only cry in which Jesus does not address God as “Father.”
Instead, He cries,
“My God, My God…”
This change is significant.
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently spoke of God as His Father. Even in Gethsemane, as He anticipated the suffering of the cross, He prayed,
“Abba, Father, all things are possible for You.” (Mark 14:36)
But now, hanging upon the cross beneath a sky covered in darkness, He cries,
“My God, My God…”
Something extraordinary was taking place.
This was not merely physical suffering.
It was not simply emotional agony.
It was the moment when the sin of the entire world rested upon the spotless Lamb of God.
The cry echoes across history because it reveals the greatest mystery of redemption.
Darkness Covered the Land
The Gospel writers tell us that from the sixth hour until the ninth hour, approximately noon until three o’clock, darkness covered the whole land.
This darkness was not ordinary.
It was not simply a passing cloud.
It was a divine sign.
Throughout Scripture, darkness often represents God’s judgment.
When Egypt refused to release Israel, darkness covered the land before the final plague.
The prophets frequently described the Day of the Lord as a day of darkness and judgment.
Now darkness covered Calvary.
While humanity looked upon Jesus as a defeated criminal, Heaven saw something entirely different.
The judgment that should have fallen upon sinful humanity was falling upon the innocent Son of God.
The cross became the meeting place of God’s justice and God’s mercy.
Justice demanded payment for sin.
Mercy provided the payment.
Was Jesus Truly Forsaken?
This question has challenged Christians for centuries.
Did God abandon His Son?
Did the Father turn away from Jesus?
To answer correctly, we must hold two biblical truths together.
First, the eternal relationship within the Trinity was never destroyed.
The Father did not cease to love the Son.
Jesus Himself declared,
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life…” (John 10:17)
Second, Jesus truly experienced abandonment as the sin-bearer.
Scripture says,
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Jesus did not become sinful.
He remained perfectly holy.
But He willingly took upon Himself the guilt, condemnation, and penalty of our sin.
He stood where sinners deserved to stand.
He received what rebels deserved.
The One who had never known separation from the Father’s favorable presence now experienced the awful weight of divine judgment against sin.
This was real.
This was costly.
This was love beyond human comprehension.
The Fulfillment of Psalm 22
Jesus was not speaking random words.
He was quoting the opening verse of Psalm 22.
Centuries before the crucifixion, King David wrote,
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Psalm 22 goes on to describe astonishing details of the crucifixion long before crucifixion was even practiced.
It speaks of mockers shaking their heads.
It describes hands and feet being pierced.
It mentions garments being divided and lots being cast for clothing.
What appeared to be a cry of despair was also a declaration that Scripture was being fulfilled.
Every event at Calvary unfolded exactly as God had foretold.
The cross was not an accident.
It was God’s eternal plan for humanity’s redemption.
The Great Exchange
At Calvary, the greatest exchange in human history took place.
Jesus took what belonged to us so that we could receive what belongs to Him.
He took our sin.
We receive His righteousness.
He took our guilt.
We receive His forgiveness.
He took our condemnation.
We receive our justification.
He bore our curse.
We inherit His blessing.
He entered our death.
We receive His life.
He experienced abandonment so that we might receive acceptance.
This is the very heart of the Gospel.
Good works do not earn salvation.
It is received because Jesus paid a debt we could never repay.
Why Did Jesus Feel Forsaken?
Jesus experienced what every sinner deserves.
Sin separates humanity from fellowship with God.
Isaiah wrote,
“Your iniquities have separated you from your God.” (Isaiah 59:2)
Every human being has sinned.
Every human being deserves judgment.
Yet on the cross, Jesus stepped into our place.
He became our substitute.
Imagine standing in a courtroom, guilty beyond dispute.
The judge pronounces the sentence.
Then an innocent man rises, walks to the front, and says,
“I will take the punishment instead.”
That is exactly what Jesus did.
The wrath that belonged to us fell upon Him.
The acceptance that belonged to Him is now offered to us.
This is substitutionary atonement.
This is grace.
The Loneliest Moment in History
No human has ever experienced loneliness as Jesus experienced on the cross.
His disciples had fled.
Peter denied Him.
The crowd mocked Him.
The soldiers tortured Him.
The religious leaders rejected Him.
Even the criminals insulted Him before one repented.
Now He carried the crushing burden of humanity’s sin.
No angel intervened.
No voice came from Heaven.
No miracle removed the nails.
The silence was part of the sacrifice.
The Son endured what no sinner could ever endure completely.
He drank the cup of God’s righteous judgment to its very last drop.
What This Cry Reveals About God?
Some people see only wrath at the cross.
Others see only love.
The Bible reveals both.
God is perfectly holy.
He cannot ignore sin.
If He overlooked evil, He would no longer be perfectly just.
Yet God is also perfect in love.
Instead of destroying sinners, He provided a Substitute.
At the cross, justice and mercy embraced.
God did not compromise His holiness.
Neither did He abandon His love.
The cross demonstrates both perfectly.
Justice was satisfied.
Mercy was offered.
Love triumphed.
What This Means for Every Christian
Because Jesus was forsaken, believers never have to be.
One of God’s greatest promises is,
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Think about that promise.
The One who cried,
“My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
made it possible for us never to utter those words eternally.
Believers may sometimes feel distant from God.
Trials may make His presence seem hidden.
Prayers may appear unanswered.
But feelings are not the measure of reality.
Because of Christ’s finished work, God’s children are never abandoned.
He walks with them through every valley.
Even in death.
Even in suffering.
Even in silence.
The Divine Exchange
The fourth cry reveals the greatest exchange ever made.
Jesus became what we were so that we might become what He is.
He was treated as guilty.
We are declared righteous.
He bore our shame.
We receive His honor.
He carried our curse.
We inherit His blessing.
He entered our darkness.
We receive His light.
He endured separation.
We receive reconciliation.
He died.
We live.
This exchange cost Him everything.
It costs us nothing except our willingness to receive it by faith. Grace is free to us because it was infinitely expensive to Christ.
Fifth Cry: “I thirst.”
“After this, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I thirst.'” (John 19:28)
This was not an ordinary statement. It was more than the cry of a man whose body was dehydrated after hours of suffering. It was a declaration that every prophecy concerning His suffering was being fulfilled exactly as God had spoken through the Scriptures.
Jesus knew that His mission on earth was nearing its end. Every pain He endured, every wound He received, every insult He bore, and every drop of blood He shed had a purpose. Nothing happened by accident. Everything took place according to God’s perfect plan for the salvation of humanity.
When Jesus said, “I thirst,” He was experiencing the full weight of human suffering. The Creator of the oceans, rivers, and springs allowed Himself to feel the agony of thirst. The One who gives rain to the earth and offers the water of life to all people chose to endure dryness so that we could experience spiritual abundance.
The soldiers offered Him vinegar mixed with gall; a bitter drink that reflected the bitterness of the world’s sin. Instead of receiving comfort, He received bitterness. Instead of relief, he was given something unpleasant. He accepted it, not because He needed it, but because He was determined to complete the work His Father had given Him.
Jesus drank the bitter cup of suffering so that we could drink from the cup of God’s grace. He experienced spiritual dryness so that our souls could be refreshed. He became thirsty so that we would never have to live with a thirsty spirit separated from God.
This reminds us of His earlier promise:
“Whoever drinks the water that I shall give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)
At the cross, the One who called Himself the Living Water became thirsty so that everyone who believes in Him could receive everlasting satisfaction. Through His sacrifice, our empty hearts can be filled with God’s presence, and our dry souls can overflow with rivers of living water through the Holy Spirit.
His cry, “I thirst,” was the price He willingly paid so that our deepest spiritual longing could be satisfied forever.
Jesus fulfilled every prophecy written about the Messiah for our sake. He bore our pain, carried our sorrows, and paid the debt we could never pay. He embraced the bitterness of the cross so that we could enjoy the sweetness of God’s mercy. He thirsted so that we might never thirst again; not because we will never face physical needs, but because our souls can now be completely satisfied in Him.
The Cry: “I thirst.”
The One who turned water into wine now asked for a drink.
The One who walked upon the sea now suffered from dehydration.
The One who created every river, ocean, spring, and stream experienced the agony of thirst.
These words remind us that Jesus was not merely appearing to be human. He truly became human.
He experienced hunger.
He grew tired.
He wept.
He bled.
He felt pain.
And on the cross, He thirsted.
Yet this cry was about more than physical suffering.
John tells us that Jesus spoke these words “that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
The Humanity of Christ
One of the great truths of Christianity is that Jesus is fully God and fully Man.
Throughout His ministry, we see both realities.
He grew weary and slept in a boat.
Yet He commanded the storm to be still.
He became hungry in the wilderness.
Yet He fed more than five thousand people with a few loaves and fish.
He wept at the tomb of Lazarus.
Yet moments later He called Lazarus back to life.
Now, upon the cross, the One who had once cried,
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink,” (John 7:37)
declared,
“I thirst.”
The irony is breathtaking.
The Giver of Living Water became thirsty.
The Bread of Life experienced physical weakness.
The Author of Life tasted death.
This was no contradiction.
It was the mystery of the Incarnation.
The eternal Son of God entered our humanity so completely that He experienced every weakness common to humanity, yet without sin.
Because He truly became one of us, He truly understands us.
The writer of Hebrews declares,
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses…” (Hebrews 4:15)
Jesus does not merely know our pain.
He has entered it.
The Fulfillment of Scripture
Psalm 69:21 had foretold:
“For my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”
John intentionally records this detail to show that Jesus was fulfilling the Scriptures to the very end.
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus repeatedly declared that He came not to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them.
At Calvary, He fulfilled them perfectly.
Not one prophecy failed.
Not one promise fell to the ground.
God’s faithfulness stood firm even while His Son suffered.
The cross assures us that if God fulfilled every promise concerning Christ’s first coming, we can trust every promise concerning His return.
The Bitter Cup
When Jesus thirsted, He was offered sour wine.
Earlier, before the crucifixion, He had been offered wine mixed with gall, a drink that could dull pain, but He refused it (Matthew 27:34).
He chose to experience the full measure of suffering.
Later, when He said,
“I thirst,”
He received sour wine, fulfilling Scripture.
There is deep symbolism here.
Throughout the Bible, the cup often represents God’s appointed portion.
In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed,
“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
The cup he drank was not merely physical suffering.
It was the cup of judgment.
It was bitter because sin is bitter.
Jesus willingly drank that cup so that all who believe in Him might drink instead from the cup of salvation.
He accepted bitterness so that we might receive grace.
He embraced suffering so that we might know peace.
The Living Water Became Thirsty
Perhaps nowhere is the beauty of the Gospel seen more clearly than here.
Earlier in His ministry, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.
He told her,
“Whoever drinks the water that I shall give him will never thirst.” (John 4:14)
Later He declared,
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37)
Now the One who invited the thirsty to come to Him became thirsty Himself.
Why?
Because He was taking our place.
Humanity’s deepest thirst has never been physical.
It is spiritual.
Every human heart longs for forgiveness.
For peace.
For purpose.
For hope.
For eternal life.
People often try to satisfy that thirst with wealth, success, relationships, pleasure, education, power, or religion.
Yet nothing in this world can satisfy the soul.
Only Christ can satisfy the deepest thirst of the human heart.
At the cross, the Living Water became thirsty so that everyone who believes in Him may drink freely from the fountain of eternal life.
Reflection:
Every time you feel spiritually empty, remember the fifth cry of Jesus. He became thirsty so that you could drink freely from the living water He offers. He accepted the bitterness of the cross so that you could receive the fullness of God’s grace. The debt has been paid, the invitation is open, and everyone who comes to Christ will find lasting satisfaction for their soul.
Sixth Cry: “It is finished.”
When Jesus had received the vinegar, He said, “It is finished,” bowed His head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)
Jesus endured pain and bitterness to accomplish His redemptive work, and then He declared, “It is finished.” This means that your pain, suffering, and sorrows have come to an end; there is no more suffering left for you. He bore it all, and all you need to do is believe and rejoice, for His redemptive work has been completed.
So why are you still worried? Why are you afraid? Jesus proclaimed, “It is finished”; your sorrows and fears have ended, and the sacrifice for all your sins has been made. Even before His death on the cross, He longed to complete His Father’s work so that we could live in peace, joy, and in the fullness of God’s grace. Jesus said, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish His work.” (John 4:34)
Jesus Christ is the perfect finisher and the beginning of a new life; the author of a new dispensation, the dispensation of grace that eliminates all fears.
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
“It is finished; the battle is over, and the victory is yours.” Jesus is the beginning of God’s grace, so keep looking unto Him.
The Fulfillment of the Father’s Mission
From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus spoke about completing the work His Father had given Him.
At Jacob’s well He said,
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34)
Later He prayed,
“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given me to do.” (John 17:4)
Now, on the cross, that mission reached its climax.
The eternal plan conceived before the foundation of the world had reached its appointed hour.
Every prophecy.
Every sacrifice.
Every Passover lamb.
Every altar.
Every priest.
Every covenant.
Every promise.
Every shadow.
Every symbol.
Every offering pointed to this moment.
Christ fulfilled them all.
The cross was not one event among many.
It was the center of God’s redemptive plan.
The End of the Old Covenant Sacrificial System
For centuries, Israel had offered animal sacrifices.
Morning and evening.
Sabbath after Sabbath.
Year after year.
Blood flowed continually upon the altar.
Yet those sacrifices could never permanently remove sin.
They pointed forward.
They anticipated something greater.
The writer of Hebrews explains,
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4)
Those sacrifices served as reminders.
Jesus became the reality.
John the Baptist had announced,
“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
At Calvary, the true Passover Lamb offered Himself once and for all.
No further sacrifice would ever be necessary.
The shadows had given way to the substance.
The symbols had yielded to the Savior.
The sacrifice had been made.
Forever.
The Veil Was Torn
Although John does not mention it here, the other Gospel writers record an extraordinary event.
At the very moment of Jesus’ death,
“The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Matthew 27:51)
This was no ordinary curtain. It separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place; the symbolic dwelling place of God’s presence.
Only the High Priest could pass beyond it.
And only once each year.
When the veil was torn, God Himself declared that the barrier between Himself and humanity had been removed.
Notice that the veil was torn from top to bottom.
God acted.
Humanity did not.
Access to God is not achieved by climbing upward through religious effort.
It is opened through Christ’s finished work.
The torn veil proclaims that every believer may now approach God with confidence through Jesus Christ.
Lessons for Every Believer
The sixth cry gives believers tremendous assurance.
Because Christ’s work is finished, we do not need to live in constant fear that we have somehow failed to earn God’s acceptance.
We obey because we are loved.
We serve because we have been saved.
We worship because redemption has already been accomplished.
The sixth cry also calls us to rest.
Many people carry burdens Christ has already borne.
They strive endlessly to prove themselves worthy before God.
The Gospel invites us to lay down that burden.
The work has been completed.
We come to Christ not with achievements, but with empty hands.
Finally, this cry challenges us to finish the work God has entrusted to us.
Jesus completed His mission faithfully.
The Apostle Paul would later write,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Every believer has a race to run.
A calling to fulfill.
A testimony to leave behind.
May we complete our course with the same faithfulness that Christ demonstrated.
The Divine Exchange
At Calvary, Jesus completed what we could never accomplish.
He fulfilled the Law.
We receive righteousness.
He paid our debt.
We receive forgiveness.
He satisfied divine justice.
We receive divine mercy.
He opened the way to the Father.
We receive access to God’s presence.
He completed redemption.
We receive eternal life.
The cross declares that nothing can be added to Christ’s finished work.
It is complete.
Perfect.
Sufficient.
Forever.
Seventh Cry: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice,
he said, Father, into your hands I commit
my spirit, and having said this, he gave up the ghost.
Luke 23:46.
Jesus dismissed the spirit, which signifies an act of will. This expression, when considered alongside the Bible, distinguishes the death of Christ from all other physical deaths. He did not take His life; He gave it, and it is important to understand this distinction. I once heard someone say that Jesus committed suicide because He didn’t save Himself when He had the power to do so. What a foolish statement. Suicide involves taking one’s own life, while Jesus willingly gave His life for the remission of sins.
He died by His own volition and could declare regarding His redemptive work, “It is finished.” He stated, “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself” (John 10:18).
“Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).
And when he gave up the ghost to the Father, great things happened; the veil of the temple from top to bottom was rent, and there was an earthquake and rocks rent. And the saints which died long ago did arise, and the soldiers that were watching him saw all these great things and the resurrected Saints; they feared greatly, and said, “Truly this man was the son of God.”
The rent veil was the veil that divided the holies of Holies, into which only the high priest could enter on the Day of Atonement.
The rent was a type of the human body of Christ, which signified that a new and living way has been opened for all believers into the very presence of God. So, you don’t need any other sacrifice or priesthood anymore; all you need is to believe and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; he alone gives salvation.
And three days after his death he arose; death has no victory, and the grave has been defeated, … Jesus lives forever.
Not only did Jesus die and rise; he also went into the pit of hell to set the captives free and to defeat the devil and his demons completely.
The devil and his demons were rejoicing when Jesus died on the cross, but little did they know that their end was near, as Jesus appeared at the gate of hell. With a triumphant voice, he commanded the demon to open the gate for him (the King of Glory), who is the King of Glory; the demon asked. And Jesus replied, “I am the King of Glory, the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”
Many people think that power belongs to the devil and wicked people, but Jesus made it crystal clear that all powers in the heavens, on earth, in hell, and undersea belong to him. So, he destroyed the works of the devil, defeated him, and made an open spectacle of the devil; he took from him all the powers and authority he had stolen from Adam and gave them to as many as will believe in him. See Luke 9:1-2 & Col. 2:15. You now have more power than the devil, for the devil has been rendered powerless and useless.
All power belongs to Jesus, and God also gave him a name that is above all names, that at the mention of the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God.
But we see Jesus, who was made a little
lower than the angels, for the suffering
of death crowned with glory and honor,
That He, by the grace of God, might taste
death for everyone.
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all
things and by whom are all things,
in bringing many sons to glory, to make the
captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
For both He who sanctifies
and those who are being sanctified are all of one,
for which reason He is not ashamed
to call them brethren, saying:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly, I will sing praise to You.”
And again: “I will put my trust in Him.”
And again: “Here am I and the children
whom God has given Me.”
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken
of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise
shared in the same, that through death
He might destroy him who had the power of death,
that is, the devil, and release those who through
fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
For indeed He does not give aid to angels,
but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
Therefore, in all things, He had to be made
like His brethren, that He might be a merciful
and faithful High Priest in things pertaining
to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted,
He can aid those who are tempted.
Heb 2:9-18
Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God; for it is not subject to the law
of God, nor indeed
can be. So then, those who are in
the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:7-8
having wiped out the handwriting of
requirements that was against us,
which was contrary to us. And He has taken
it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
Having disarmed principalities and powers,
He made a public spectacle of them,
triumphing over them in it.
Col 2:14-15
Then He called His twelve disciples
together and gave them power and authority
over all demons, and to cure diseases.
He sent them to preach the kingdom of
God and to heal the sick.
Luke 9:1-2
A Voluntary Sacrifice
Jesus did not lose His life.
He gave it.
This is one of the most important truths about the crucifixion.
No Roman soldier took His life.
No religious leader ended His mission.
No crowd overpowered Him.
Jesus Himself declared,
“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down for myself.” (John 10:18)
Death did not conquer Jesus.
Jesus conquered death by willingly submitting Himself to it.
Even His final breath was an act of obedience.
His spirit was not seized.
It was committed.
The word “commit” means to entrust something valuable into the care of another.
Jesus placed His human spirit into the safekeeping of His Father.
He died exactly as He had lived, trusting His Father completely.
The Fulfillment of Psalm 31
Psalm 31:5 says,
“Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.”
For centuries, faithful Jews had prayed these words before sleeping each night, entrusting themselves to God’s protection.
Jesus transformed this familiar prayer into His final earthly declaration.
Even in death, Scripture remained upon His lips.
This reminds us that the Word of God sustained Jesus throughout His suffering.
When tempted in the wilderness, He answered with Scripture.
When teaching the crowds, He fulfilled Scripture.
When suffering on the cross, He prayed Scripture.
God’s Word was not merely something Jesus knew.
It was the foundation upon which He lived. And upon which He died.
The Death That Defeated Death
From a human perspective, Jesus died.
From Heaven’s perspective, death itself had just received its greatest defeat.
Since the fall of Adam, death had ruled over humanity.
Kings died.
Prophets died.
Priests died.
Empires rose and fell.
No one escaped death’s grip.
But on Calvary something changed forever.
Jesus entered death not as its victim but as its conqueror.
He stepped into the grave carrying the authority of Heaven.
Three days later, he would walk out alive.
Because He lives, death is no longer the final word for those who believe.
As Paul later declared,
“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)
The grave became a doorway into eternal life for everyone who belongs to Christ.
The Seven Cries Completed
The cross began with forgiveness.
It ended with trust.
Each cry reveals another dimension of God’s heart.
The First Cry: Forgiveness for sinners.
The Second Cry: Hope for the repentant.
The Third Cry: Love for humanity.
The Fourth Cry: Justice satisfied.
The Fifth Cry: Scripture fulfilled, and spiritual thirst quenched.
The Sixth Cry: Redemption completed.
The Seventh Cry: Perfect trust in the Father’s hands.
Together, these seven cries tell the complete story of redemption.
They reveal God’s justice without abandoning His mercy.
His holiness without losing His love.
His power expressed through humility.
His victory was achieved through sacrifice.
The cross was not the end; it was the beginning of God’s grace, grace that blows all fear away.
CONCLUSION: The Cross Still Speaks
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
— Hebrews 13:8
When Jesus bowed His head and breathed His last, many believed His story had ended.
The religious leaders thought they had silenced Him.
The Roman authorities believed another execution had been carried out.
His disciples were overwhelmed with grief, confusion, and fear.
To the world, the cross looked like a symbol of defeat.
But Heaven saw something entirely different.
The cross was not the end of Jesus’ mission.
It was the fulfillment of it.
What seemed like humanity’s darkest hour became God’s greatest demonstration of love. On that rugged cross outside Jerusalem, justice and mercy met, sin was judged, forgiveness was offered, and the door to eternal life was opened for all who would believe.
More than two thousand years have passed since that day, yet the cross has never lost its power. Kingdoms have risen and fallen. Civilizations have changed. Philosophies have come and gone. Cultures have been transformed. Yet the message of the cross continues to change lives.
The reason is simple.
The One who died on the cross is alive.
Jesus Christ did not remain in the tomb. On the third day, He rose from the dead just as He had promised. His resurrection is God’s declaration that the sacrifice was accepted, the payment for sin was complete, and death is no longer the final word.
Think about this for a moment.
The cross, once a symbol of shame and defeat, has become a symbol of redemption, salvation, and protection, and it remains relevant today and beyond. People wear it and identify with it; even non-Christians sometimes wear it for protection and have their own testimonies. The testimony of Jesus is not just distant history; it is present among people today. Its evidence is all around us. Do you know why? Because the Son of God lives.
