I read this line preparing for our lesson today. “God’s Wrath in the soul is the soul of suffering.”

Another Preacher believes that these Words of Jesus, spoken from the Cross, epitomize the very depths of His “soul-suffering.” Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 both carefully record them: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Is that WHY (or one of the reasons anyway) the Father “forsook” His Son that Day? The verb “to forsake” used here is powerful, compound, unique! It is a blend of two prepositions and a verb … “en” plus “kata” plus “leipo.” It means “to leave” or even (ghastly) “to fail” someone! And the two prefixes strongly intensify the action!

What’s that possible reason, Preacher?

I truly believe this. God’s fierce Wrath being poured out on sweet Jesus those Hours on the Cross!

And if so, I can already sense some degree (anyway) of the spiritual or soul suffering our Lord must have endured!

I do know this. God’s Wrath is abiding on every sinner on earth this very second! “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36

And logically, if (and He did) Jesus took our place on Golgotha’s Hill, God’s Wrath must have necessarily rested on the Saviour!

A thought perhaps beyond our comprehension!

God turned His Face from His Son … when Jesus became our sin-bearer!

When Jesus faced God’s Judgment (Wrath) in our place!

When we speak of Jesus being the “Propitiation” for our sins (1 John 2:2 … “And He is the propitiation for our sins.”) … we are saying that Jesus appeased (placated, satisfied) God’s Righteous Anger on Calvary!

Soul suffering?

Absolutely no doubt!

And I suspect the MORE we understand His Spiritual Agony, the more we will love Him.

Isaiah 53:6 is so right … “The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

What a Saviour!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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