1. At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken (abandoned) me?” Matthew 27:45-46

2. “God, Why have you abandoned me?”

3. Could we have (also) misunderstood Jesus ? …Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken (abandoned) me?” Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah…

4. Forsake abandon; desert a person so as to leave them uncared for

5. First thing first…God cannot lie! He will never abandon (forsake) us Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake (abandon) you.”

6. First thing first…God cannot lie! He will never abandon (forsake) us Deut. 31:6 (Moses to Joshua) “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake (abandon) you.”

7. First thing first…God cannot lie! He will never abandon (forsake) us Joshua 1:5 (God to Joshua) No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon (forsake) you.

8. First thing first…God cannot lie! He will never abandon (forsake) us Nehemiah 9:31 (after they had sinned and come back) 31 Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

9. First thing first…God cannot lie! He will never abandon (forsake) us 1 Chron. 28:20 (David to Solomon) 20 Then David said to Solomon his son, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished”.

10. First thing first…God cannot lie! He will never abandon (forsake) us (Pastor Alfred to everyone listening) “God will not abandon you! You can trust Him…come to Him through Jesus and He will always respond with healing and grace!”

11. First thing first…God cannot lie! He will never abandon (forsake) us (Our message to the culture and the unbeliever) “God has not abandoned you! You can trust Him…come to Him through Jesus and He will always respond with healing and grace!”

12. So why did Jesus say that? 1.Matthew 4…When in a trial Jesus quoted scripture. 2.Luke 4:16-21…When Jesus wanted to reveal He was the Messiah he quoted scripture. “The scripture you have just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”-Luke 4:21

13. So why did Jesus say that while on the cross? Jesus is quoting the Word (Psalm 22)! 1.Because when in trial, Jesus quoted the Word. 2.Because he was revealing to them that He was the messiah.

14. Psalm 22:18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. Matthew 27:35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.

15. Psalm 22:7 All who see me mock me; They sneer at me; they wag their heads; Mark 15:29 And those who passed by derided (mocked) him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,

16. Psalm 22:8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Mark 15:29 43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

17. Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? Matthew 27:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

18. Psalm 22:31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it (it is done) John 19:30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

19. Life Principles: 1.When in suffering do what Jesus did…turn to the Word and to worship! 2.Know that God will never abandon you, He is trustworthy in times of trouble.