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Forsaken | Grave Robber | Week 3
CJ Ward
Forsaken Introduction
On Palm Sunday, we often celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. But the journey from cheers to crucifixion is quick and jarring. In this third week of the Grave Robber series, Pastor CJ leads us into one of the most haunting moments in all of Scripture—when Jesus, hanging on the cross, cries out:
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
What does it mean to feel forsaken? More importantly, what does it mean that Jesus felt forsaken?
This message explores that powerful moment, inviting believers to look into their own seasons of abandonment and suffering, and to realize that Jesus meets us there. Because of what Jesus endured, we are never truly forsaken.
Jesus Was Forsaken, So We Would Never Have to Be
Mark 15:33–34 records the darkest hour of Jesus’ earthly life. As noon turned to supernatural darkness, Jesus cried out the opening words of Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
This wasn’t just a spontaneous emotional outburst—it was a song. Psalm 22 is a prophetic psalm written by David, filled with imagery of suffering and abandonment, but ultimately moving toward hope and restoration.
By referencing this psalm, Jesus identified Himself with every person who has ever felt alone, unheard, unseen, or forsaken. His cry wasn’t a sign of doubt—it was a proclamation that He understood what it felt like to be us.
The Song of the Forsaken
Psalm 22 isn’t only a cry—it’s a song. In Jewish tradition, songs were part of identity and memory. Jesus wasn’t just quoting Scripture; He was singing a familiar lament that every Jewish listener would have recognized.
This psalm begins with anguish:
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?”
But as the verses progress, the tone begins to shift. In verse 24, David writes:
“For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.”
Jesus’ cry from the cross draws us into this journey—from the depth of forsaken pain to the hope of divine presence. He was forsaken so that we would never be.
Two Things Can Be True at the Same Time
One of the central themes of this message is that two things can be true at the same time. Life can be unimaginably hard, and God can still be good.
You can feel alone and still be loved.
You can be confused and still be faithful.
You can cry out in despair and still believe in hope.
Jesus models this paradox. In the deepest pain, He stayed faithful. Even while feeling forsaken, He stayed in the will of the Father.
This reality encourages believers to express their pain honestly, to bring their questions to God, and to worship Him through the struggle.
The Humanity of Jesus
Hebrews 4:15 reminds us:
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Jesus’ experience on the cross wasn’t distant or symbolic—it was deeply human. He felt pain. He experienced abandonment. He lived the reality of being forsaken.
This is what makes Jesus approachable in our suffering. We don’t serve a distant God; we serve a Savior who understands what it’s like to be us. He doesn’t run from our pain—He entered into it.
The Darkest Hour
Mark 15:33 describes the darkness that covered the land from noon to 3 p.m.—a supernatural sign that all of creation was responding to the suffering of the Creator.
And then, verse 37 says:
“With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.”
Jesus breathed His last breath with a cry, not a whisper. Even in His final moment, He spoke loudly enough that all could hear. His final word was not one of defeat but of surrender—showing that even when forsaken, He trusted the Father.
Hope for the Forsaken
The beauty of Psalm 22 is that it doesn’t end in despair. It ends in worship:
“Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!”
That phrase, “He has done it,” echoes Jesus’ final words on the cross: “It is finished.”
There is hope for those who feel forsaken. If Jesus could endure the cross and emerge victorious, then He can carry us through our dark nights.
Key Takeaways
Here are some truths to carry with you from this week’s message:
Jesus experienced the full weight of human abandonment.
He didn’t skip the hard parts—He embraced them, for us.Feeling forsaken doesn’t mean you are forsaken.
Our emotions are valid, but they don’t always reflect eternal truth.Psalm 22 leads from pain to praise.
Just like the Psalm, our story isn’t over at the lowest point.Faith doesn’t erase pain—it reframes it.
When we walk through suffering with Jesus, we find purpose and hope.You can trust the God who has walked your road.
No matter what you’re going through, He’s been there—and He is with you still.
Application: What Should We Do When We Feel Forsaken?
Pray honestly. Jesus did. Let your words be raw and real.
Lean into community. You weren’t meant to suffer in isolation.
Keep worshiping. Even if your voice shakes.
Remember the whole story. The cross isn’t the end—resurrection is coming.
Encourage others. Be the voice of hope to someone else who feels forgotten.
Closing Thought
Jesus cried out, “Why have you forsaken me?” so that you never have to.
Whatever you’re facing, no matter how dark your night, there is a Savior who has been there, and He has made a way through it.
As you carry your cross, remember that the cross doesn’t end in death—it ends in resurrection. And even in your most forsaken moment, you are not alone.
Scripture References
Mark 15:33–37 – Jesus’ final cry and death on the cross
Psalm 22 – A prophetic song of suffering that ends in victory
Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus as our empathetic high priest
John 19:30 – “It is finished” – Jesus’ final declaration
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