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Listen "#172 | In the Footsteps of David: Abandoned by God...Really???"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, we dive into one of the most poignant and widely misunderstood moments in the Gospel of Matthew—Jesus’ cry from the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Quoting the opening words of Psalm 22, Jesus’ statement has been the source of much theological debate and misinterpretation.
Some view it as an expression of despair, believing Jesus felt abandoned by God due to a moment of weakness in his faith. Others, particularly those who adhere to penal substitutionary atonement, interpret it as evidence that God poured out His wrath on Jesus and severed fellowship with Him because He bore the sins of the world.
But what if both interpretations miss the mark?
We explore an alternative perspective rooted in the context of Psalm 22, a psalm woven into the fabric of the passion narrative in Matthew. Notably, Psalm 22:18 is explicitly referenced in Matthew 27:35, highlighting how the psalm frames the events of Jesus’ crucifixion. We discuss how the people around the cross, including the religious leaders and Roman soldiers, play the roles of David’s enemies in Psalm 22, while Jesus takes on the role of David himself.
Far from expressing despair or divine abandonment, Jesus' cry serves as a deliberate and prophetic act. By quoting Psalm 22:1, Jesus draws attention to the psalm’s depiction of a righteous sufferer surrounded by enemies—an anointed king who endures suffering before vindication. Like David, who was on the run from Jewish authorities and eventually found himself alone among the Philistines, Jesus mirrors this pre-enthronement struggle. Anointed as king at his baptism, Jesus also faced opposition from Jewish authorities and was ultimately handed over to the Gentiles.
We examine how Jesus’ use of Psalm 22 redefines the roles of those around him, casting the Jewish leaders and Roman authorities as David’s adversaries. This reframing highlights the true nature of what was happening on the cross, calling his listeners—and us—to recognize their (and our) participation in the story.
Finally, we explore how Psalm 22 anticipates a dynamic effect on the Gentiles, a theme that points toward the global implications of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. This pivotal idea will set the stage for our next episode, where we’ll delve into the psalm’s ultimate vision of hope for the Gentiles.
Key Passages:
Matthew 27:35-46
Psalm 22:1, 18
Key Resources:
A five part blog series that discusses this topic in a thorough and detailed way.
Explainer Video on how to use www.biblehub.com and www.blueletterbible.org
Leave us a question or comment at our website podcast page.
* Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music
Some view it as an expression of despair, believing Jesus felt abandoned by God due to a moment of weakness in his faith. Others, particularly those who adhere to penal substitutionary atonement, interpret it as evidence that God poured out His wrath on Jesus and severed fellowship with Him because He bore the sins of the world.
But what if both interpretations miss the mark?
We explore an alternative perspective rooted in the context of Psalm 22, a psalm woven into the fabric of the passion narrative in Matthew. Notably, Psalm 22:18 is explicitly referenced in Matthew 27:35, highlighting how the psalm frames the events of Jesus’ crucifixion. We discuss how the people around the cross, including the religious leaders and Roman soldiers, play the roles of David’s enemies in Psalm 22, while Jesus takes on the role of David himself.
Far from expressing despair or divine abandonment, Jesus' cry serves as a deliberate and prophetic act. By quoting Psalm 22:1, Jesus draws attention to the psalm’s depiction of a righteous sufferer surrounded by enemies—an anointed king who endures suffering before vindication. Like David, who was on the run from Jewish authorities and eventually found himself alone among the Philistines, Jesus mirrors this pre-enthronement struggle. Anointed as king at his baptism, Jesus also faced opposition from Jewish authorities and was ultimately handed over to the Gentiles.
We examine how Jesus’ use of Psalm 22 redefines the roles of those around him, casting the Jewish leaders and Roman authorities as David’s adversaries. This reframing highlights the true nature of what was happening on the cross, calling his listeners—and us—to recognize their (and our) participation in the story.
Finally, we explore how Psalm 22 anticipates a dynamic effect on the Gentiles, a theme that points toward the global implications of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. This pivotal idea will set the stage for our next episode, where we’ll delve into the psalm’s ultimate vision of hope for the Gentiles.
Key Passages:
Matthew 27:35-46
Psalm 22:1, 18
Key Resources:
A five part blog series that discusses this topic in a thorough and detailed way.
Explainer Video on how to use www.biblehub.com and www.blueletterbible.org
Leave us a question or comment at our website podcast page.
* Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music
In God we trust