Pearls of the Word

(Back to Index)

Eli, Eli

by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf

"My God [Eli]! My God [Eli]! Why have You forsaken me, so far from saving me and from the words of my groaning?" (Psalm 22:1 Darby).

When Jesus uttered these words on the cross, he did not express the second part of the verse (Matthew 27:46) as when he read the scroll of Isaiah 61:1-2, by leaving out "a day of our God’s vengeance" (Luke 4:18-19). For Jesus knew His God and trusted in Him, knowing that he was going to deliver Him, since he delighted in him (Psalm 22:8 Darby).

In fact, at the time of His baptism, the heavenly Father was heard to say, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17 Darby). Then, later, on the Mount of the Transfiguration, a voice was heard to say, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him" (Matthew 17:5 Darby). Jesus knew He was under God’s protection ever since being at His mother’s breast, but He had to accomplish His mission alone, and His Father would only intervene on the third day...