Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?

Have you ever felt alone? I’m not talking about just feeling lonely like a college student feels when they move away from home and familiar faces for the first time. I mean have you ever felt truly alone, abandoned? If so, what was this like? What were you facing at the time you felt abandoned?

I’ve been lonely, hurt, confused, and betrayed, but I’m not sure I have ever felt truly abandoned. After being arrested, facing trial under the leadership of his own people, being beaten and crucified, Jesus went through more suffering than I could ever imagine. Not only was his body physical broken and torn, nails driven into his hands and thorns into his head, but he was betrayed, spit on, laughed at, mocked, and scorned. He felt truly abandoned.

In the garden, when the time came, Jesus and his disciples were approached by a group and Roman soldiers and one of his closest friends, Judas. This is the beginning of complete abandonment for Jesus. He is betrayed by a friend with a friendly gesture, a kiss. When he is arrested and led away, his disciples, the men he chose to follow him, completely flee the scene. They run away. Jesus is abandoned by his closest friends. In Mark’s account (14:51), just after the disciples flee, it says there is a young man following Jesus. The men who have arrested Jesus try to seize this young man, but they only grab his garment. He too runs away. Who is this young man? Some would suggest that this is possibly Mark; he would have been a young man at the time. Others suggest something radically different. Could this be an angel? After Jesus’ crucifixion, the three women arrive at his tomb to anoint the body. Not only do they find the tomb empty, but they also “...saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side...” (16:5). The young man in this scene is, of course, an angel. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous accounts of angels; each time, scriptures use the term “man” instead of “angel.” To further support the idea that this young man following Jesus after his arrest is an angel, it occurs just after Jesus’ disciples, the only people with him in the garden, run away. The people have already left the scene. If this is an angel, this not only means that Jesus’ friends have left his side, but now, even the angelic world has abandoned Christ.

After being charged with treason, his own people send him away to be tried under Pontius Pilate. When asked by Pilate what he should do, they yell, “Crucify him,” and he is sent away to face the cross. It was the ninth hour, about 3 p.m., when Jesus cried out. Stop for a second and place yourself at the cross of Jesus, having watched the events of the day. Listen as he cries, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This is a suffering man who is feeling absolute abandonment. Although I am certain his Father was right there suffering through the cries of his Son, Jesus feels complete despair. He is, possibly, quoting directly from Psalms 22. I would suggest taking the time to read all of Psalms 22, however, and not just stopping at the direct quote. Perhaps Jesus is crying out more than, “Why have you forsaken me?” The end of the Psalm gives praise to God. Here, Jesus is not simply asking a question. He is saying, “God, I do not understand this. Why did it have to come to this? Why must I suffer like this? I have absolutely nothing left to give, but I trust in your honor and your glory.”

This is a statement of faith! He is acknowledging his Father’s glory. In doing so, he is setting an example for us in love. He doesn’t understand the suffering, but he wholly trusts in the Father. His faith is never failing, even as he breathes his last. May we all remain faithful, even to our very last breath.

-Matt