If Jesus Was God, Why Did He Call God “My God?”

Introduction

The question, “If Jesus was God, why did He call God ‘My God?'” has intrigued theologians, scholars, and believers for centuries. At its core, this question delves into the heart of the mystery of the Incarnation — the belief that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human. To understand this question, we must first explore the concept of Jesus’ dual nature: His divinity and humanity, both of which are perfectly united in one person.

In the Gospels, we find instances where Jesus calls God “My God.” For instance, in His famous cry on the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34). This phrase raises important theological questions about the nature of Jesus and His relationship with God the Father. Why would a divine being, who is one with the Father, refer to God as “My God”?

1. The Hypostatic Union: The Mystery of Christ’s Nature

To understand why Jesus called God “My God,” we must begin by acknowledging the Hypostatic Union—the Christian doctrine that teaches Jesus is both fully God and fully human. This doctrine emphasizes that Jesus did not cease to be God when He became man, nor did He become less than God. Instead, in the person of Jesus Christ, the divine and human natures exist without confusion or change.

• Jesus as Fully Divine: Jesus, as the Son of God, shares in the divine essence of God the Father. The Gospel of John opens by stating, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). This “Word” refers to Jesus, who is fully divine, sharing the same essence as God.
• Jesus as Fully Human: At the same time, Jesus is fully human. He was born of a woman, grew up, experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, and even death. His humanity is essential for His role as the Savior, as He lived the perfect human life and, through His death and resurrection, provided salvation for humanity.

The fact that Jesus calls God “My God” in the Gospels, especially on the cross, reflects the reality of His humanity. In His human nature, Jesus experienced a deep dependence on the Father, which is reflected in His language.

2. Jesus’ Humanity: Expressing Dependence

One of the central reasons Jesus refers to God as “My God” is to express His humanity and dependence on the Father. Although Jesus is divine, as a human being, He fully embraced the experience of dependence on God. This is evident throughout His life, especially in His prayers.

• Jesus as a Model of Prayer: Jesus often withdrew to pray to the Father, showing a consistent pattern of seeking communion with God. In His humanity, He prayed for strength, guidance, and help (Luke 5:16, Mark 1:35). By calling God “My God,” Jesus models for us the proper relationship humans should have with God: one of reverence, dependence, and trust.
• Expression of Trust: The phrase “My God” demonstrates not only Jesus’ dependence but also His trust in the Father. Even in His moments of deepest anguish, He addresses God as His Father and God, indicating that His relationship with God is one of trust and personal connection.

3. The Cross and the Cry of Despair

The most significant moment when Jesus calls God “My God” occurs during His crucifixion. In Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34, Jesus cries out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” This is a moment of agonizing separation as Jesus, bearing the weight of the world’s sin, experiences a profound sense of abandonment.

• Theological Significance: This cry is a fulfillment of Psalm 22, which begins with the same words. Psalm 22 is a messianic psalm that speaks of suffering, abandonment, and ultimate deliverance. Jesus’ cry links His suffering to the prophecy of the Messiah in the Old Testament. By quoting this psalm, Jesus identifies with the suffering of the righteous one, who feels abandoned by God, yet ultimately finds deliverance.
• Separation from God: In this moment, Jesus, in His humanity, experiences the spiritual separation from God caused by the weight of humanity’s sin. This does not imply a rupture in the Trinity, but it does reflect the real and profound human experience of alienation. Jesus, who had always been in perfect communion with the Father, now bears the consequences of sin, which results in this momentary sense of abandonment.

4. Jesus as the Perfect Mediator

By calling God “My God,” Jesus also underscores His role as the mediator between God and humanity. As fully divine and fully human, Jesus is the only one capable of bridging the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God. In His humanity, Jesus shows us how to relate to God — through dependence, prayer, and submission to God’s will.

• Mediator Role: The apostle Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:5 that there is “one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus, by calling God “My God,” affirms His role as the one who reconciles humanity to the Father. He fully identifies with both God and man and serves as the bridge that brings salvation to humanity.

5. The Intimacy of Jesus’ Relationship with the Father

Calling God “My God” also reflects the intimacy of the relationship between Jesus and the Father. Even in His deepest moment of suffering, Jesus continues to address God as His Father. This language is deeply personal and shows the closeness of their relationship.

• A Relationship of Love: Throughout the Gospels, Jesus speaks of His deep love for the Father and His obedience to Him. This intimate relationship is exemplified in His prayer life, where He calls God “Father” (John 17:1). In the moment of His greatest agony, He still addresses God in a deeply personal way, calling Him “My God,” showing that the relationship remains intact, even through the most difficult trials.

Conclusion

When Jesus calls God “My God,” it highlights His humanity, His dependence on the Father, and His intimate relationship with God. It also underscores His role as the perfect mediator who fully identifies with both God and humanity. Jesus’ cry on the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” speaks to the depth of His suffering and His identification with human pain, while also fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

In essence, Jesus’ use of “My God” is not contradictory to His divinity, but a profound expression of His dual nature — fully divine and fully human. It reveals the depths of His obedience, His trust in the Father, and His willingness to suffer for the redemption of humanity.