Did God Abandon Jesus? Reframing the Crucifixion and Psalm 22 During Lent
A deep dive into the haunting question: “Did God forsake Jesus on the cross?” Mike Erre explores this crucial theological tension through the lens of Lent, Psalm 22, and the Jewish context of Jesus’ final words. Starting with a personal and vulnerable moment with his teenage son, the episode transitions into a powerful reflection on America’s gun violence epidemic and the church’s role in embodying Christ’s message of peace—before moving to a bold reconsideration of how we read Jesus' cry from the cross.
This episode invites listeners to confront the normalization of school shootings, wrestle with the Church’s complicity and silence, and reflect on the crucifixion as more than just suffering, but as a proclamation of faith, resistance, and hope. Drawing on the Jewish practice of remez (a method of quoting scripture), Mike challenges common interpretations of Jesus' abandonment, suggesting instead a deeper, prophetic connection between the cross and the voice of the Psalms.
Key Takeaways: • The Cross as Liturgy – Reexamining Jesus' cry of “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” not as abandonment, but as intentional reference to Psalm 22 and its themes of suffering, vindication, and worship. • Jesus' Jewishness Illuminated – Understanding how Jewish practices like remez can shift our view of his final words and enhance biblical interpretation. • The Church and Gun Violence – A call for Christians to reject inaction and political gridlock, and pursue tangible action informed by Jesus’ peacemaking ethic. • Lent as a Season of Lament and Action – Encouragement to reflect on not only personal sin, but structural evil, and to seek both repentance and justice. • Crucifixion as Coronation – Considering Jesus' execution not as defeat, but as the ironic inauguration of his kingship and the upside-down kingdom of God.
Guest Highlights: • Nate Erre – Mike's 14-year-old son joins early in the episode to provide a witty and authentic teen perspective on sports, YouTube, and adolescent life in Ohio, adding moments of levity before the episode’s theological depth.
Resources Mentioned: • Psalm 22 – Read Here • Matthew 27:27–54 – Crucifixion account aligned with the psalmic themes • Greg Boyd – Theological perspective on atonement and divine abandonment • Patreon exclusive content – Support and Join Here
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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Twitter & Instagram: @GoneTimothy
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We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.
Our Merch Store! ETSY
Learn more about the Voxology Podcast
Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify
Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon
The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio
Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook
Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre
Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy