What Happened between God and Jesus at the Crucifixion?

by Ryan Ebert

"Eli Eli lama sabacthani?"  Translated to English from Hebrew it says, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"  One of the last sayings Jesus said before dying on the cross during his crucifixion.  The question I want to bring up is why did God forsake his one and only son?  

First, God is a righteous and holy God.  He does not accept sin of any kind and can not.  Psalms 71:19 states, "Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!"  The verse is telling of God's infinite righteousness that no man is like Him.  In Psalms 96:9 it says, "O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth."  In here David, the author of Psalms, tells that God's holiness is so great that we should tremble in his presence knowing that man as sinners can not compare to His perfect holiness.  Being righteous and holy does not allow God to sin or accept sin.

Secondly, God is a just God.  Just meaning "Honorable and fair in one's dealings and actions: a just ruler; consistent with what is morally right", according to the American Heritage dictionary.  It says in Nehemiah 9:33, "Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for tho hast done right, but we have done wickedly:".  God could not allow sin in his presence and thus had to turn away from it since sin is not just.  

 Thirdly, God is perfect.  Habakkuk 1:13 reads this, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: . . ."  God had to turn his eyes away from sin being perfect as He is.  Even if man tries to clean himself up he is still unclean before God as told in Jeremiah 2:22 "For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God."  Man can not expect to be as pure as the Lord for man is a sinner.  God's perfectness transcends over sin.

Why did God turn his back on his son Jesus?  He had to because Jesus took upon himself the sins of all mankind thus forcing God the Father to look away.  God's righteousness, holiness, just, and perfectness turned away from evil, sin, wrong, and wickedness.  Imagine if a man of high prestige and honor had to turn his back on his son because his son robbed a bank or murdered someone.  He would still love him as God the Father loved Jesus, but did not want to look at him for the crime he committed.  The son would be put into prison for life and the father would not be able to see his son like he used to.  The son may ask himself "Father, why have you deserted me?"  It would be because he put on himself a sin that would put shame on his father.  Just like Jesus cried out "Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani?" to his father.  God is not deserving of our sin and our shame.

But it does not end there!  Jesus put on himself all of mankind's sin so that man may enter into Heaven!  Luke 23:34 Jesus said on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."  Man sins.  Everyday man sins whether it is a lie, cheat, or something one may not be aware of.  Man's sins have been forgiven.  Then in John 19:30 it is written, ". . .  and he said, 'It is finished': and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."  Jesus Christ died on the cross for every man, woman, and child  It is up to each person to accept the gift of salvation given by God.  

There are five simple steps that man needs to know first.  First is that the Bible is the word of God.  II Timothy 3:16 states All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."  Second it is that Jesus is the God of the Bible.  Isaiah 9:6 reads "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."  Third, all are sinners.  It says in Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God:".  Fourth, because of sin every man deserves to go to Hell.  Romans 6:23 says' "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Then fifth is to know that Jesus suffered and died on the cross to pay for man's sin, was buried and rose from the dead.  He was then seen by over five hundred eye witnesses.  Romans 5:8 states, "But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  Five steps that are needed to be believed in, simple yet important.

The last and most important thing for one to enter Heaven is to accept Jesus into his hart as his personal Saviour.  Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  A simple prayer like the one below is only needed.

Dear Jesus, I know that you re God and that the Bible is your Word.  I believe that you died in my place to pay for my sin and that you rose from the dead proving that you are God.  Right now, in the best way I know how, I call upon you and ask you to be my Lord, my Saviour, and my God.  Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me.  Help me now to live for you.  Amen.

When one makes the decision of accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour he make the best decision of their lives.  Knowing that he will live with God in Heaven after death and not suffer in Hell.  God's gift of salvation is free!  

Here is a video for another look at salvation from college football assistant coach Ron Brown of the Nebraska Cornhuskers:

Credit to Pastor Teis for the Five things you must know and one thing you must do.