Did the Father Really Turn His Face Away from Jesus?

Introduction: A Common Misconception in Christian Thought

During every Lent season, countless Christians sing hymns and declare how God the Father “turned His face away” from His Son as He hung on the cross. Many pastors claim that this moment of abandonment was the greatest suffering Jesus experienced. But is this really the case? Did Jesus truly face isolation from the other members of the Trinity during His darkest hour?

This question isn’t just a theological curiosity—it challenges our understanding of God’s nature, especially in response to our own failures. If God the Father could turn His face away from His Son, what does that say about how He views our moral failures?

The Biblical Basis for the “Forsaken” Question

The idea of God forsaking Jesus originates from Jesus’ words on the cross. In Matthew 27:45-46, we read:

“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’)”

This cry has been historically linked to Psalm 22:1, where King David laments his suffering and expresses feelings of abandonment. In the same way David felt forsaken, Jesus too experienced intense distress, asking God why He had been seemingly abandoned. This verse has been interpreted by many as indicating that God the Father had turned His back on Jesus.

Understanding the Context: Psalm 22 and Prophetic Fulfillment

Psalm 22 is often seen as a prophetic depiction of the suffering that Christ endured. David, who wrote this Psalm, detailed his own feelings of rejection but also hinted at the ultimate victory over that suffering. The Psalm moves from despair to hope, ending in a declaration of God’s faithfulness. Here’s a portion from the end of the Psalm:

“I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you… 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” (Psalm 22:22-24).

So, while Jesus’s cry from the cross reflects deep anguish, it also aligns with the prophetic words of Psalm 22, which ultimately speak of God’s deliverance, not His abandonment.

A Closer Look at God’s Presence in Our Pain

At first glance, verses like Habakkuk 1:13 and Psalm 5:4 may seem to suggest that God cannot tolerate sin or evil. However, these verses primarily emphasize the relational distance caused by sin, not God’s absence during suffering. In fact, many Bible teachers argue that the Father was never truly distant from Jesus on the cross, despite His anguished cry.

For instance, Dr. Jared Hood explains that Jesus’ question was not an expression of reality but of distress. He writes, “The sufferer is asking God why He won’t save him from his oppressors. It’s a rhetorical question, as the sufferer knows full well why God does this.” Psalm 139:7-12 also underscores God’s omnipresence, affirming that there is no place, not even in darkness, where God’s presence cannot be felt.

Jesus’ Cry: Proclaiming His Identity

When Jesus spoke the words from Psalm 22:1, He was not merely expressing abandonment but declaring His Messianic identity to the Jewish crowd. By referencing this Psalm, He pointed to the entirety of its message—one of suffering followed by victory. Matthew 27 shows that Jesus’ final words were not of despair but a clear declaration of who He was—the Messiah who would overcome His suffering for the sake of humanity.

The Father’s Presence: A Misunderstanding of Forsakenness

Many believe that God abandoned Jesus during His crucifixion due to the weight of sin. However, this interpretation fails to account for the broader biblical context of God’s presence in suffering. From the Genesis 3 account of God seeking Adam and Eve after their fall, to the Exodus where God made His dwelling among the Israelites despite their sin, Scripture consistently shows that God is present even in the midst of our rebellion.

Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate demonstration of God’s love for humanity, not His rejection. By enduring the cross, Jesus bridged the gap between God and man, showing that while sin does separate us from God, it is through Christ’s sacrifice that we are brought near.

Why This Understanding Matters

Misunderstanding God’s response to sin can lead to feelings of alienation from Him. The idea that God withdraws when we sin can make us feel like we must earn His favor or hide from His presence. But Scripture reveals that God is closest to us when we need Him most. He never forsakes His children—just as He did not forsake His Son.

In 2 Peter 3:9, we are reminded that God desires for everyone to come to repentance. His arms are always open, and He offers forgiveness and restoration through Christ.

Conclusion: Embracing God’s Unfailing Presence

As believers, we can rest in the truth that God is always with us. The cross of Christ demonstrates that God’s love and presence are never withdrawn, even in our darkest moments. We are invited to draw near to Him, knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Jennifer Slattery is a writer, speaker, and co-host of the Faith Over Fear podcast. Passionate about helping people experience Christ’s freedom, she is the author of several books and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com.

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