The Fourth Saying of the Cross: The Word of Anguish

Matthew 27:45-46

1. Prayer
2. Promise
3. Command
4. Question

• It’s wonderful to hear the Lord Jesus pray for his enemies.
• It’s glorious to see his saving power as he promises the thief to his right a place in Paradise.
• It’s inspiring to read of Christ’s provision for his mother in his final hours.
• But the fourth saying of the cross is nothing short of frightful! As it reveals the fact that the Father has forsaken the Son.

• Wisdom instructs us not to forsake the law of our mother in Prov 6:20.
• Peter declared the apostles forsaking all to follow the Lord
• Christ spoke of the reward for forsaking houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for his name’s sake

But how inconceivable that we find the Father forsaking the Son!

This saying is the one that best characterizes the Lord’s passion.

Physical suffering/ Perfect communion/ Broken by my sin/ Looking for the Father’s loving gaze/ Spiritual death

1. This explains the agony of the Garden (Matthew 26:38) “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me”
2. This saying discloses the wages of sin.
3. This saying reveals the executor of judgment. (God spoke in times past, but now He’s silent.)
4. This saying shows the Father turning his face on sin. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity (Hab 1:13)
5. This saying reveals the basis of salvation.
6. This saying captures the Lord securing his bride.