Periodically I pray a prayer in anguish: “Why do I have to suffer as I do?” But in reality I have no conception of what caused Jesus to pray: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk 15:34) Was his closeness to the Father broken in some way? (Jn 10:30; 14:18-20).
Did the darkness of the cross pierce his soul? (Matt 27:45-46).
It is comforting to hear Paul’s triumphant affirmations (1 Cor 15:55-57), but we hear nothing similar as Jesus hangs in desolation.
His quote from Psalm 22 reveals the heart of David, first in agony (Ps 22:1-18), that gives way to victory (Ps 22:19-31). Did Jesus’ seemingly forlorn prayer carry with it the seed of hope and renewal? Is that the message I need to receive in my times of despair and darkness?