Jesus' Final Words from the Cross.wav
Jeff’s Deep Dive Podcasts on Philosophy and Theology
Source: Richard Bauckham, “Jesus and the God of Israel: God Crucified and Other Essays on the New Testament’s Christology of Divine Identity”, (2008).
This podcast, based on Richard Bauckham's work, delves into the profound significance of Jesus' cry of desolation on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Bauckham meticulously examines this pivotal moment by considering both its scriptural roots in the Old Testament psalms of lament, particularly Psalm 22, and its theological implications within the Gospel of Mark. Bauckham argues that Mark's narrative strategically uses allusions to these psalms to portray Jesus' self-identification with the godforsaken, encompassing not only individual suffering but also the historical experience of Israel. Ultimately, the work contends that this cry, culminating in Jesus' death, is the climax of the revelation of his divine identity in Mark's Gospel, demonstrating God's ultimate act of self-giving love by entering into the deepest human experience of God's absence.
1. What is the central focus of the theological and exegetical study regarding Jesus' cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34; Matt. 27:46)?
The study critically examines the interpretation of Jesus' cry of desolation, noting a historical divide between theologians who emphasize its radical theological significance (like Jürgen Moltmann) but lack in-depth exegesis, and exegetes who often provide theologically shallow interpretations, failing to grasp its climactic importance within Mark's Gospel and its Old Testament context. The study aims to bridge this gap by exploring the cry's immediate context in Mark, its connection to the broader narrative, and its rich intertextual links with the psalms of lament.
2. How does Mark's Gospel use the psalms of lament, particularly Psalm 22, in its portrayal of Jesus' passion and death?
Mark intricately weaves allusions to Psalm 22 and other psalms of lament throughout his passion narrative. This isn't simply about reading Psalm 22 as a messianic prophecy. Instead, Mark uses these allusions to place Jesus' suffering within the broader context of human anguish expressed in the psalms – the experience of those crying out to God in desperate situations. While Jesus' cry directly quotes Psalm 22:1, Mark's allusions to other parts of the psalm and to other laments suggest that the entire range of these human experiences of feeling forsaken by God is relevant to understanding Jesus' cry. Mark emphasizes that Jesus personally appropriates these words, identifying with the plight of those who feel abandoned by God.
3. What is the significance of the word "forsaken" (Heb. ʿāzab, Gk. enkataleipō) in the context of the psalms of lament and Jesus' cry?
In the psalms of lament, "forsaken" and related terms describe a concrete reality of being abandoned and rejected by God, who withholds his help in situations of extreme distress, oppression, and the threat of death. It's not merely a feeling but the experience of God allowing suffering to occur without intervention. Jesus' use of this word echoes the most extreme expressions in the psalms, where the psalmist experiences God's abandonment as a realized fact, not just a fear. This highlights the genuine nature of Jesus' experience on the cross – he was truly left to suffer and die.
4. How does the question "Why?" in Jesus' cry contribute to its meaning and theological significance?
The question "Why?" found in Jesus' cry and in many psalms of lament expresses an anguished incomprehension of God's apparent absence in the midst of suffering. It's a protest against seemingly undeserved hardship and a voicing of a real question directed to God. In Jesus' case, while Mark's narrative indicates Jesus knew God's will for his death, the "Why?" is understood theologically not as a personal questioning of God's plan, but as Jesus voicing the protest of all those who experience God's abandonment. It's a cry of solidarity with the godforsaken.
5. What does the address "My God, my God" in Jesus' cry reveal about his relationship with God, even in his abandonment?
Despite the feeling and reality of being forsaken, Jesus' address to God as "My God, my God" demonstrates his persistent relationship and trust in God. The doubled expression, unique to Psalm 22, emphasizes a personal connection and a clinging to faith even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. It is not a cry of utter despair, but an appeal to the faithfulness of the God who had previously proven trustworthy. This usage, instead of his usual "Father" (Abba), is appropriate to the psalm but also signifies a continued sense of intimate, though agonizing, relationship with God.