How Psalm 22 connects to the Crucifixion | N.T. Wright Online

N.T. Wright Online

14 Apr 202202:25

Summary

TLDRThis script delves into the theological paradox of the crucifixion, where Jesus, perceived as the epitome of divinity, cries out in abandonment. It challenges the traditional view of an omnipotent God by highlighting the human suffering of Jesus, suggesting a profound divine sacrifice. The narrative underscores the necessity of a robust Trinitarian doctrine to reconcile the divine and human natures of Jesus, emphasizing the crucifixion as the ultimate revelation of God's love. The script invites contemplation on the depth of God's covenant love, even amidst the apparent divine forsaking on the cross.

Takeaways

🕊️ The concept of divinity and humanity is deeply intertwined, suggesting that abstract categories of the divine have always been present within human nature.
⏰ The crucifixion narrative, particularly the darkness at noon and Jesus' cry from Psalm 22:1, presents a paradox that challenges traditional views of an omnipotent and perfect God.
🤔 The difficulty in reconciling the idea of a supreme and perfect God with the human suffering and perceived abandonment on the cross has led to various theological interpretations.
📜 The scriptural references, especially from Psalm 22 and the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, are central to understanding the theological puzzle of God's presence and absence during the crucifixion.
👨‍🏫 The challenge posed by the Gospels is to understand how Jesus, as the embodiment of God (Emmanuel), can experience forsakenness, which requires a nuanced understanding of the divine nature.
🔄 The concept of the Trinity is introduced as a theological framework to help explain the complex relationship between the Father, the Son, and the act of crucifixion.
❤️ The cross is presented as the ultimate revelation of God's love, suggesting that the Old Testament God of covenant love is revealed in a new and profound way through the sacrifice of Jesus.
🌟 The shock and the earthquake mentioned in the script symbolize the magnitude of the event, indicating a deep cosmic significance and a moment of divine rupture.
🙏 The willingness of Jesus to submit to God's will, as expressed in Gethsemane, contrasts with his human desire to avoid suffering, highlighting the complexity of his divine and human natures.
🔑 The script invites a deeper reflection on the nature of God, the meaning of the crucifixion, and the implications for our understanding of divinity and humanity.

Q & A

What is the significance of the phrase 'Heaven and earth divinity and humanity' in the context of the script?
-The phrase 'Heaven and earth divinity and humanity' signifies the unity and interconnection between the divine and the human realms, highlighting the script's focus on the incarnation of God in human form, particularly in the context of the crucifixion.
Why is the crucifixion described as an 'extraordinary irony' in the script?
-The crucifixion is described as an 'extraordinary irony' because it represents the moment when the divine, all-powerful God becomes human and experiences abandonment and suffering, which contradicts the typical understanding of God's omnipotence and perfection.
What does the script suggest about the nature of God based on the crucifixion?
-The script suggests that God, in becoming human and experiencing the crucifixion, embodies a paradoxical nature that challenges traditional views of divine omnipotence and perfection, revealing a depth of love and sacrifice that is central to the Christian understanding of God.
Why did Jesus cry out 'Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani?' during the crucifixion?
-Jesus cried out 'Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani' (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?) as a reference to Psalm 22:1, expressing the depth of his suffering and the feeling of abandonment he experienced during the crucifixion.
What is the theological challenge posed by the crucifixion as described in the script?
-The theological challenge posed by the crucifixion is reconciling the idea of an all-powerful, perfect God with the experience of suffering and abandonment on the cross, which requires a nuanced understanding of the nature of God and the concept of the Trinity.
How do the Gospels of Mark and Matthew contribute to the understanding of Jesus' divinity in the script?
-The Gospels of Mark and Matthew contribute to the understanding of Jesus' divinity by emphasizing his humanity and the incarnation, with Mark describing the baptism and Matthew highlighting Jesus as 'Emmanuel,' God with us, suggesting a divine presence in human form.
What does the script imply about the relationship between the Old Testament God and the God revealed in the crucifixion?
-The script implies that the God of the Old Testament, characterized by covenant love and creation, is the same God revealed in the crucifixion, showing the depth of divine love and the cost of engaging with humanity in a covenant relationship.
Why is the concept of the Trinity important in understanding the crucifixion according to the script?
-The concept of the Trinity is important in understanding the crucifixion because it allows for a nuanced view of God that accommodates the paradox of the divine and human natures of Jesus, and the apparent division between the Father and the Son on the cross.
What is the significance of the earthquake mentioned in the script in relation to the crucifixion?
-The earthquake mentioned in the script signifies a cosmic disturbance or shock that mirrors the spiritual and emotional turmoil of the crucifixion, suggesting a profound disruption in the natural order as a response to the divine sacrifice.
How does the script interpret Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane in relation to his crucifixion?
-The script interprets Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane as a moment of deep human longing to be spared from the crucifixion, yet his submission to the divine will ('not what I will but what you will') demonstrates his commitment to the divine plan despite personal suffering.

Outlines

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🕊️ Divine Abandonment and Theological Irony

This paragraph delves into the theological paradox presented by the crucifixion of Jesus. It discusses the difficulty of reconciling the concept of an omnipotent and perfect God with the moment when Jesus, in his human form, cries out feeling forsaken, as referenced in Psalm 22:1. The script suggests that understanding this event requires a robust theological framework, such as the doctrine of the Trinity, to comprehend how the divine can experience human suffering and abandonment. The paragraph also touches on the challenges posed by the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, which depict Jesus as both divine and human, experiencing the full spectrum of human emotions, including the feeling of being forsaken by God. The crucifixion is presented as a revelation of God's love, contrasting with the traditional view of God as a distant, uninvolved creator.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Divinity

Divinity refers to the state or quality of being divine, or having a close or intimate connection with a deity. In the context of the video, divinity is discussed in relation to the concept of God and Jesus' nature. The script mentions 'heaven and earth divinity and humanity,' suggesting a blending of the divine and the human, particularly in the person of Jesus.

💡Crucifixion

The crucifixion is the act of execution by crucifixion, historically associated with the death of Jesus Christ. The video script highlights the 'extraordinary irony of the crucifixion' as a moment when Jesus, who is considered divine, experiences abandonment by God, as expressed in his cry from Psalm 22:1.

💡Darkness

In the script, 'darkness' is used metaphorically to describe the period of three hours when the land was covered in darkness during the crucifixion. This darkness symbolizes the spiritual separation and the depth of suffering experienced by Jesus, as well as the cosmic significance of the event.

💡Psalm 22:1

Psalm 22:1 is a verse from the Hebrew Bible that is quoted by Jesus in his moment of despair on the cross. The video discusses how this verse, 'Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani,' which translates to 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?', challenges traditional views of an all-powerful and all-present God.

💡Emmanuel

Emmanuel, meaning 'God with us,' is a term used in the Bible to describe Jesus Christ. In the video, Matthew's Gospel is mentioned as emphasizing Jesus as 'Emmanuel,' highlighting the concept of God becoming human and being present with humanity, especially in moments of suffering.

💡Trinity

The Trinity is a central doctrine in Christianity that describes the nature of God as being three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—coexisting in unity. The video suggests that understanding the crucifixion requires a robust doctrine of the Trinity to reconcile the idea of God's perfection with the human suffering of Jesus.

💡Gethsemane

Gethsemane is the garden where Jesus is said to have prayed and struggled with his impending death. The video refers to Gethsemane to illustrate Jesus' human desire to avoid the cross, yet his submission to the divine will, as expressed in his prayer, 'not what I will but what you will.'

💡Covenant Love

Covenant love refers to the deep, committed, and faithful love that God has for his creation, as described in the Old Testament. The video script connects the concept of covenant love to the God of the Old Testament and suggests that the crucifixion reveals the extent of this love.

💡Earthquake

An earthquake is mentioned in the script as a physical manifestation of the cosmic upheaval that occurred at the crucifixion. It symbolizes the shock and division that took place, not only in the natural world but also in the divine realm, as Jesus cried out in abandonment.

💡Forsaken

To be 'forsaken' means to be abandoned or left alone, often in a state of need or distress. In the video, the term is used to describe Jesus' feeling of being abandoned by God during the crucifixion, which is a central paradox in Christian theology, as it involves the divine becoming human and experiencing human suffering.

💡Utter Revelation

The phrase 'utter revelation' suggests a complete and full disclosure or manifestation of something. In the context of the video, it is used to describe the crucifixion as the ultimate revelation of God's love, showing the depth of divine commitment to humanity, even to the point of sacrifice.

Highlights

The concept of 'heaven and earth, divinity and humanity' being inherent in Jesus.

The irony of the crucifixion at noon, when darkness covered the land until three o'clock.

Jesus' cry from Psalm 22:1, expressing abandonment by God.

The challenge of reconciling Jesus' divinity with the human experience of suffering and abandonment.

The necessity of a robust doctrine of the Trinity to understand Jesus' dual nature.

Matthew's portrayal of Jesus as 'Emmanuel,' God with us.

Mark's depiction of Jesus' baptism as a revelation of Israel's God becoming human.

The cross as the ultimate revelation of God's love, according to John and Paul.

The Old Testament God as the God of covenant love, reaching out to creation.

Mark's narrative of the cost of God's love, symbolized by an earthquake and a perceived division between the Father and the Son.

The theological puzzle of Jesus' humanity and divinity during the crucifixion.

The distinction between Jesus' divine nature and his human experience of suffering on the cross.

The theological implications of Jesus' statement in Gethsemane, desiring to be spared but submitting to God's will.

The importance of understanding Jesus' cry from the cross within the context of his divine and human nature.

The significance of the crucifixion as a theological event that challenges traditional views of God's omnipotence and perfection.

The need for a nuanced understanding of Jesus' identity to appreciate the depth of the crucifixion's theological message.