2. The Spiritual Sufferings of Jesus

3. “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Ps. 22:1)

4. The pain of being “forsaken” by God My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. (Psalm 22:1) O my God, I cry by day, but Thou dost not answer; and by night, but I have no rest. (Psalm 22:2)

5. Yet Thou art holy, O Thou who art enthroned upon the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3) In Thee our fathers trusted; They trusted, and Thou didst deliver them. To Thee they cried out, and were delivered; In Thee they trusted, and were not disappointed. (Psalm 22:4-5)

6. A perfect fulfillment And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? ” that is, “ My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? ” (Matthew 27:46)

7. A perfect fulfillment And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “ This man is calling for Elijah. ” And immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. But the rest of them said, “ Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him ”. (Matthew 27:47-49)

8. The pain of being the object of hatred, ridicule, and scorn But I am a worm, and not a man, a reproach of men, and despised by the people. (Psalm 22:6) All who see me sneer at me; They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying, “ Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him. ” (Psalm 22:7-8)

9. Yet Thou art He who didst bring me forth from the womb; Thou didst make me trust when upon my mother ’ s breasts. Upon Thee I was cast from birth; Thou hast been my God from my mother ’ s womb. (Psalm 22:9-10)

10. A perfect fulfillment And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “ You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross. ” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him, and saying, “ He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we shall believe in Him. “ He trusts in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He takes pleasure in Him; for He said, ‘ I am the Son of God. ’” (Matthew 27:39-43)

11. The importance of Jesus ’ spiritual sufferings Brings us a greater awareness of His sacrifice for us I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1)

12. The importance of Jesus ’ spiritual sufferings Gives us greater assurance of His ability to sympathize with our sufferings For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

13. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, (Hebrews 5:8-9)

14. God had not really “ forsaken ” Jesus. He had just postponed deliverance until after His death!