Delta Church of Christ Family Night Bible Study
Bible Study ~ “The Last Words of Jesus: Abandonment"
We are challenged to ask ourselves how we might apply the last words of Jesus to our lives today. We will look at three accounts of the final words Jesus offered before His crucifixion and one where Jesus shared His final instructions to His disciples (and us!) before ascending into Heaven.
Locations & Times
Delta Church of Christ
500 Providence St, Delta, OH 43515, USA
Wednesday 6:00 PM
Even in tough times, God is always with us.
Opening Questions
Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you were abandoned by God?
Why do you think people believe a person's last words are so important?
The reason we even have the phrase "last words" is because, deep down, we understand that a person's last words can be incredibly significant. Those words tend to carry more weight than almost anything else the person had said up to that point.
“A person's last words give everyone else an opportunity to see what truly mattered to the person who said them.” Do you believe that quote is true? Why or why not?
Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you were abandoned by God?
Why do you think people believe a person's last words are so important?
The reason we even have the phrase "last words" is because, deep down, we understand that a person's last words can be incredibly significant. Those words tend to carry more weight than almost anything else the person had said up to that point.
“A person's last words give everyone else an opportunity to see what truly mattered to the person who said them.” Do you believe that quote is true? Why or why not?
Unpack the Text
As we enter this Easter season, we're going to spend the next few weeks taking a look at some of Jesus' last words before (and spoiler alert: after) His death on the cross. What makes the last words of Jesus so important to us?
Our starting place in the Bible today is Mark 15:34. From your own memory, describe a little bit of what you know regarding what led up to Christ hanging on the cross to die.
According to Mark, it was about nine o'clock in the morning when the soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross, but roughly six hours had already passed at this point. After six hours on the cross, how do you think Jesus felt? Would you give up?
Jesus could have given up at any moment. He could have called to God to take the pain away and save Him from the cross. Jesus didn't. What does that mean for us today?
Those six hours were physically and emotionally agonizing. Not only was Jesus suffering from being ruthlessly beaten and nailed to the cross, but He was also relentlessly mocked by onlookers. There was more than physical pain. What other kinds of pain was Jesus facing?
It's at this point that Mark describes the following:
As we enter this Easter season, we're going to spend the next few weeks taking a look at some of Jesus' last words before (and spoiler alert: after) His death on the cross. What makes the last words of Jesus so important to us?
Our starting place in the Bible today is Mark 15:34. From your own memory, describe a little bit of what you know regarding what led up to Christ hanging on the cross to die.
According to Mark, it was about nine o'clock in the morning when the soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross, but roughly six hours had already passed at this point. After six hours on the cross, how do you think Jesus felt? Would you give up?
Jesus could have given up at any moment. He could have called to God to take the pain away and save Him from the cross. Jesus didn't. What does that mean for us today?
Those six hours were physically and emotionally agonizing. Not only was Jesus suffering from being ruthlessly beaten and nailed to the cross, but He was also relentlessly mocked by onlookers. There was more than physical pain. What other kinds of pain was Jesus facing?
It's at this point that Mark describes the following:
What kind of "voice" did Jesus use when He called out? Why would this be unusual?
This verse has been called the "Orphan Cry" of Jesus. Why do you think that is?
Our Challenge:
One of the reasons I know the cross erased my sin is because Jesus became a human so that He could be an "offering" for my sin. What does that mean?
I memorized the Aramaic words to remind me of what Jesus did.
“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani”
Eloi, Eloi: Pronounced “EH-lo-ee EH-lo-ee”
lama: Pronounced “LAH-mah”
sabachthani: Pronounced “sah-BAH-kah-nee”
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus said this in a LOUD voice. The reason that's a big deal is because crucifixion ultimately killed a person through suffocation. The way Jesus was nailed to the cross made it incredibly difficult to breathe. But why these words specifically? Any guesses?
Jesus' words can be a bit startling. And they can lead to some pretty big questions, right?
For example:
Did God abandon Jesus?
Is that even possible?
Since Jesus is God, what does it even mean for God to abandon God?
These are all really good questions, but I think they might actually be missing what Jesus is really saying here. We know Jesus quoted a lot from the Old Testament and His last words here are not different. He is quoting David. Who is David?
Jesus is quoting a passage from the Psalms, written by David:
This verse has been called the "Orphan Cry" of Jesus. Why do you think that is?
Our Challenge:
One of the reasons I know the cross erased my sin is because Jesus became a human so that He could be an "offering" for my sin. What does that mean?
I memorized the Aramaic words to remind me of what Jesus did.
“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani”
Eloi, Eloi: Pronounced “EH-lo-ee EH-lo-ee”
lama: Pronounced “LAH-mah”
sabachthani: Pronounced “sah-BAH-kah-nee”
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus said this in a LOUD voice. The reason that's a big deal is because crucifixion ultimately killed a person through suffocation. The way Jesus was nailed to the cross made it incredibly difficult to breathe. But why these words specifically? Any guesses?
Jesus' words can be a bit startling. And they can lead to some pretty big questions, right?
For example:
Did God abandon Jesus?
Is that even possible?
Since Jesus is God, what does it even mean for God to abandon God?
These are all really good questions, but I think they might actually be missing what Jesus is really saying here. We know Jesus quoted a lot from the Old Testament and His last words here are not different. He is quoting David. Who is David?
Jesus is quoting a passage from the Psalms, written by David:
What do these words mean to you? Have you ever felt this way? When? Why?
How close are these words to what Jesus said on the cross? Any idea why? And why so loud about it?
Scholars debate the reason for these words. We don't know for certain what Jesus meant and that's okay. I want to share the explanation that makes most sense to me.
Have you ever noticed how over time, we can come to use a few words or a short phrase from a movie, story, or song to represent something that's actually much, much bigger?
How well did people of Jesus' time know the Psalms? Would they have known the words Jesus proclaimed in a loud voice? Why or why not?
As I said earlier, we know that Jesus referred to the Old Testament a lot in His teaching. Why?
If Jesus knew that His listeners were aware of Old Testament teaching and specifically the Psalms, and we know that a short phrase can have a deeper meaning… read the first two verses of the Psalm again and guess what the rest of the Psalm is about:
How close are these words to what Jesus said on the cross? Any idea why? And why so loud about it?
Scholars debate the reason for these words. We don't know for certain what Jesus meant and that's okay. I want to share the explanation that makes most sense to me.
Have you ever noticed how over time, we can come to use a few words or a short phrase from a movie, story, or song to represent something that's actually much, much bigger?
How well did people of Jesus' time know the Psalms? Would they have known the words Jesus proclaimed in a loud voice? Why or why not?
As I said earlier, we know that Jesus referred to the Old Testament a lot in His teaching. Why?
If Jesus knew that His listeners were aware of Old Testament teaching and specifically the Psalms, and we know that a short phrase can have a deeper meaning… read the first two verses of the Psalm again and guess what the rest of the Psalm is about:
How did the psalm writer feel about his relationship with God?
The New Testament mentions this Psalm 24 times. How would Jesus have understood these words as part of His “battle plan” and mission on earth?
The New Testament mentions this Psalm 24 times. How would Jesus have understood these words as part of His “battle plan” and mission on earth?
“Yet” the psalmist trusts in what? What did the psalm writer say about what God had been to Israel in the past?
The act of “trust” would be defined as what in our lives today?
How often do we look at how God in the past has brought us through when we face trials today?
The act of “trust” would be defined as what in our lives today?
How often do we look at how God in the past has brought us through when we face trials today?
What do you think David means by “I am a worm and not a man?”
Do you sense Job in these words? How?
Do you sense Jesus in these words? How?
Do you sense Job in these words? How?
Do you sense Jesus in these words? How?
Why did people mock David and how did their insults make him feel?
Why does the scorn and mocking hurt David?
How do we see a foreshadowing of Christ in these verses?
The people use “theological measuring stick” against David and Jesus. Is this something we do in our lives? How?
Why does the scorn and mocking hurt David?
How do we see a foreshadowing of Christ in these verses?
The people use “theological measuring stick” against David and Jesus. Is this something we do in our lives? How?
What did David say about what God had been for him?
David is completely baffled by God’s silence. Why?
What is different in how Christ approaches the silence of God as He is on the cross?
Remember, this all follows “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” which, in my opinion is Jesus’ shorthand for the entire chapter:
David is completely baffled by God’s silence. Why?
What is different in how Christ approaches the silence of God as He is on the cross?
Remember, this all follows “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” which, in my opinion is Jesus’ shorthand for the entire chapter:
We move from accusation to a plea. What is David’s plea?
We see more prophesy of the cross. How?
How did David describe his enemies?
David called some of his enemies “dogs.” Aren’t dogs man’s best friend? Then why?
Dogs in ancient Israel were considered dangerous animals. They were beasts who scavenged what they could, even corpses.
How did the psalm writer feel under the attacks of his adversaries?
How did David describe his enemies?
David called some of his enemies “dogs.” Aren’t dogs man’s best friend? Then why?
Dogs in ancient Israel were considered dangerous animals. They were beasts who scavenged what they could, even corpses.
How did the psalm writer feel under the attacks of his adversaries?
Between the first sentence in verse 21 and the second sentence, what do we see?
Everything changes... and some say this is where we see “resurrection.”
Psalm 22:21b (ESV)
21 ...You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
Everything changes... and some say this is where we see “resurrection.”
Psalm 22:21b (ESV)
21 ...You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
You have rescued me. From what?
How different are these verses compared with verses 1 and 2? Why do you think there is a change?
What is the difference between what is "true" and how you "feel?" When has this been the case in your life?
How does David FEEL in verses 1 and 2?
What is TRUE based on what David says in verses 23 and 24?
What I think David is pointing out is that sometimes there can be a big difference between how we feel and what is actually true. In his suffering, David obviously felt as though he had been abandoned… but David also knows that God would never actually abandon him.
What is the difference between what is "true" and how you "feel?" When has this been the case in your life?
How does David FEEL in verses 1 and 2?
What is TRUE based on what David says in verses 23 and 24?
What I think David is pointing out is that sometimes there can be a big difference between how we feel and what is actually true. In his suffering, David obviously felt as though he had been abandoned… but David also knows that God would never actually abandon him.
The Psalm begins with an individual lament and ends with “the families of the nations shall worship before you.” How does this foreshadow the cross?
This Psalm is all about how even when it might not feel like it, God is always with us. How?
So, back to Jesus. Now that we have studied Psalm 22, what is Jesus really communicating when He cries out, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"
His listeners knew the WHOLE Psalm, not just the opening. So, in your own words, what did they hear?
Does it make Jesus' pain any less knowing the truth? Why or why not?
Back to feeling abandoned: We can't forget that Jesus in that moment WAS abandoned by God. Jesus had to feel the pain of humanity, take it on Him and literally have separation from God as He died. How would you feel if your parent no longer wanted to be your parent? How would that affect you?
When Jesus referenced this Psalm with that opening cry, He spoke volumes with just a few words. He voiced His pain, His suffering, and the incredible loneliness He endured on the cross… but by referencing the Psalm 22, what was Jesus also saying?
Here's the beauty and power in what Jesus was declaring with these words: we follow a God who isn't absent when we need Him the most. With the last of His strength, Jesus proclaimed that even in tough times, God is always with us. How does that make you feel?
Say it again, together: "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"
So, as we consider that these last words of Jesus are actually more hopeful than they first appear, I think there are a few life-changing concepts we can learn that might help us know how to take Jesus' words and apply them to our own lives. The first is…
God wants us to cry out to Him.
When Jesus was on the cross, Jesus modeled for each of us what we can do when we feel abandoned, alone, or overwhelmed. What does this say about those moments when WE feel this way?
It's okay to cry out when we feel alone because the act of crying out is itself a reminder that God is always with us.
This Psalm is all about how even when it might not feel like it, God is always with us. How?
So, back to Jesus. Now that we have studied Psalm 22, what is Jesus really communicating when He cries out, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"
His listeners knew the WHOLE Psalm, not just the opening. So, in your own words, what did they hear?
Does it make Jesus' pain any less knowing the truth? Why or why not?
Back to feeling abandoned: We can't forget that Jesus in that moment WAS abandoned by God. Jesus had to feel the pain of humanity, take it on Him and literally have separation from God as He died. How would you feel if your parent no longer wanted to be your parent? How would that affect you?
When Jesus referenced this Psalm with that opening cry, He spoke volumes with just a few words. He voiced His pain, His suffering, and the incredible loneliness He endured on the cross… but by referencing the Psalm 22, what was Jesus also saying?
Here's the beauty and power in what Jesus was declaring with these words: we follow a God who isn't absent when we need Him the most. With the last of His strength, Jesus proclaimed that even in tough times, God is always with us. How does that make you feel?
Say it again, together: "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"
So, as we consider that these last words of Jesus are actually more hopeful than they first appear, I think there are a few life-changing concepts we can learn that might help us know how to take Jesus' words and apply them to our own lives. The first is…
God wants us to cry out to Him.
When Jesus was on the cross, Jesus modeled for each of us what we can do when we feel abandoned, alone, or overwhelmed. What does this say about those moments when WE feel this way?
It's okay to cry out when we feel alone because the act of crying out is itself a reminder that God is always with us.
How does this verse make you FEEL? How does this verse proclaim TRUTH?
In fact, that leads us to the second big-picture idea from this passage that I want to make sure we see, and that is…
God will NEVER abandon you.
At some point in our lives, sometimes multiple points, each of us will feel abandoned, overwhelmed, or just simply wrecked. However, when Jesus quoted Psalm 22, He reminded us that our feelings don't always reflect reality.
Here's what I mean. Have you ever looked back on something you said or did and thought, "What was I thinking?!?" How does that feel?
But, we have a promise:
In fact, that leads us to the second big-picture idea from this passage that I want to make sure we see, and that is…
God will NEVER abandon you.
At some point in our lives, sometimes multiple points, each of us will feel abandoned, overwhelmed, or just simply wrecked. However, when Jesus quoted Psalm 22, He reminded us that our feelings don't always reflect reality.
Here's what I mean. Have you ever looked back on something you said or did and thought, "What was I thinking?!?" How does that feel?
But, we have a promise:
What do these verses say for the hopeless? For Jesus on the cross? For David in distress?
There is no situation so hopeless that God will leave you!
There is no situation so hopeless that God will leave you!
Your Story
Why do you think portions of this psalm are quoted or alluded to so often in the New Testament in reference to Christ’s crucifixion?
What should we do whenever we feel we have been forsaken by God?
What should we do when God seems far away?
Why do you think people often feel distant from God?
How can we follow the psalm writer’s example when we want to draw closer to God?
What are the benefits of remembering what God has done for us in the past?
How has this psalm motivated you to praise the Lord?
For what reasons are you inspired to praise God?
How can we be involved in telling future generations about the Lord?
How can you share with others what God has revealed about Himself to you?
Why do you think portions of this psalm are quoted or alluded to so often in the New Testament in reference to Christ’s crucifixion?
What should we do whenever we feel we have been forsaken by God?
What should we do when God seems far away?
Why do you think people often feel distant from God?
How can we follow the psalm writer’s example when we want to draw closer to God?
What are the benefits of remembering what God has done for us in the past?
How has this psalm motivated you to praise the Lord?
For what reasons are you inspired to praise God?
How can we be involved in telling future generations about the Lord?
How can you share with others what God has revealed about Himself to you?
Apply it to Your Life
What is one step you can take to draw closer to God this next week?
Whom can you encourage who feels distant from God?
With whom could you share what God has done for you?
What is one step you can take to draw closer to God this next week?
Whom can you encourage who feels distant from God?
With whom could you share what God has done for you?