WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME? / MARK 15:34

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Mark 15:34

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

The Cry of the Abandoned: Finding Hope in Jesus’ Darkest Hour

We have all experienced moments of deep isolation—times when the silence of heaven feels heavy, and we wonder if our prayers are simply bouncing off the ceiling. But did you know that Jesus Himself shared that exact feeling?

In Mark 15:34, mid-afternoon darkness grips the hill of Golgotha as Jesus hangs on the cross. Breaking hours of agonizing silence, He cries out in a loud voice: “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

This striking moment, often called the “cry of dereliction,” is one of the most raw and profound passages in the entire Bible.

1. The Weight of Separation

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus intimately addressed God as Abba, Father. Yet here, in His hour of greatest desolation, He calls out to Him as a distant petitioner: “My God, my God.”

This wasn’t a loss of faith. Rather, it was the moment the holy, unbroken fellowship of the Trinity experienced a devastating fracture. Jesus wasn’t just suffering physical torture; He was actively bearing the weight of human sin. Because God is completely holy, He had to turn His face away from the sin Jesus carried on our behalf. Jesus was truly forsaken so that we would never have to be.

2. Prophecy in the Pain

It is beautiful to note that even in His agony, Jesus anchors His suffering in Scripture. He is directly quoting Psalms 22:1, a psalm written by King David centuries earlier.

By crying out these exact words, Jesus was signaling to everyone standing by that His crucifixion wasn’t a tragic accident or a sign of defeat. It was the exact fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. If you read further into Psalms 22, it transitions from a gut-wrenching lament into a glorious song of victory and praise. Jesus knew that beyond the dark shroud of Friday lay the dawn of Sunday.

3. He Understands Your “Why”

Because Jesus endured this absolute isolation, we have a Savior who completely understands our deepest pain. When you feel rejected, lonely, or abandoned by the world, you can pour out your heart honestly to Him. He is not intimidated by your hard questions.

Your cries of disappointment aren’t a sign of weak faith; they are an act of faith reaching out to the only One who can save. Because He took your place on that dark afternoon, you are guaranteed an eternal reality where nothing can ever separate you from the love of God.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your staggering love and for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Jesus, thank You for standing in our place, bearing our shame, and enduring the agony of separation so that we could be set free and welcomed into Your family.

When life leaves us feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or forgotten, remind our hearts of the cross. Comfort us with the truth that because You were forsaken for a moment, we will never be abandoned. Teach us to bring our honest pain to You, trusting that You hear us, You hold us, and Your love always has the final word.

In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace