Cries of Abandonment with True Solidarity

Mark's Final Words of Jesus

Abstract

There are theological implications to Jesus’ words on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Is Jesus a pious rabbi expressing praise and hope? Or has God truly abandoned Jesus? A classic example and expression of Luther’s theology of the cross, these words of Jesus can be sweet gospel relief to those in times of despair. This article explores previous prominent interpretations, mainly from William Stacy Johnson and Jürgen Moltmann, and uses them to propose a new interpretation of subjective abandonment with objective solidarity.