Jesus forsaken on the cross?

I've been thinking on this off and on for awhile.

I'm sure most of us have heard something like at the cross “the Father turned His face away.” But that phrase comes from a song, not Scripture. Or...but Jesus says, “Why have You forsaken Me?” and that's Psalm 22. But did the Father really turn away from His Son at the time when He needed Him the most?

Let's consider some things.

Jesus was considered a Rabbi – teacher – by those who followed Him. One thing that a Rabbi (and maybe even parents) did would be to start a phrase of Scripture so that it would start loading in their student's (or child's) mind. We can still do this - “The LORD is my shepherd...” “For God so loved the world ...” “Go into all the world...”

So, Jesus on the cross starts quoting a Psalm “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”and those who hear Him know how that Psalm goes. Here's some of it: (using NKJV)

verses 3-5 But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel, Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed. Jesus knew that He could trust the Father.

Verses 6-18 are a description of what Jesus was going through and many prophetic phrases can be found here. I wonder how many in the crowd made the connection?

Verses 19-21 is again a cry for help, but 22-24 are praise “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You. You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you offspring of Israel! And the best part – For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard.”