"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

[realisticphish]

I wanted to see what all of your opinions were on this, what Jesus said on the cross. I've been reading different interpretations of it, as to me it is one of the most fascinating lines in the Bible.

On one side, the explanation is that Jesus is here reacting to taking mankind's sins upon his shoulders, which would be understandably intense. To a further degree, that perhaps his doubt of God itself is him sinning in place of man's lack of faith.

On another side, the explanation is that Jesus is simply human, and in this hour of intense pain and fear has finally lost faith, showing his humanity. Now that I think about it, these two sides may be one: Jesus' humanity here is what allows him to act as a sacrifice.

In any case, what do you guys think of this line?

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. I think of it also as part of his suffering -- that to fully understand

human suffering, he had to experience what it felt like to not feel God's presence at all; to know what divine abandonment feels like.

I can't say that is a scripturally pure thought, and certainly isn't the only thought, but I think it's least part of it.

I also love what you say, and believe those as well.

[realisticphish]

3. that makes sense

to me, personally, "hell" is simply eternal separation from God, and this could be the beginning of Christ's descent into hell (as is written in the nicene creed, though who knows how theologically pure that is)

[RevCheesehead]

2. Psalm 22

These are the opening words to Psalm 22, which people would know from memory. Some scholars and theologians believe that these words were said to evoke the Psalm.

If you read the Psalm all the way through, you will find it ends in a word of hope:

All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the LORD;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
For dominion belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations.

To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
and I shall live for him.

Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord,
and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,
saying that he has done it.

This hope can be interpreted as fulfilment of the Messianic promise.

[realisticphish]

4. yeah

i can definately see that. kind of wraps up the whole concept of christ's return rather nicely