Hidden - by Jeremy Duke

“How great the pain of searing loss, The Father turns His face away”

These are lyrics from Stuart Townend’s popular song, How deep the Father’s love. It’s a beautifully rich song, repeating deep theology of our salvation in Christ throughout the verses. These lines refer to Christ’s death on the cross.

But did God the Father turn away from Jesus?

Jesus on the cross quotes a famous line from Psalm 22: My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?

All the Jews present at the cross would have recognised the quote - just as if I say “May the force be with you”! The similarities between David and Jesus in this psalm are mind-blowing.

• Both were scorned and mocked (v6-7)

• Both were surrounded metaphorically by bulls and lions (v12-13)

• David felt like, and Jesus had: his bones dislocated (v14), his strength sapped, his tongue dry, close to death (v15), his hands and feet pierced (v16), his bones on view (v17), his clothes taken (v18).

Look now at verse 24: “He (God) has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.”

There is a strong argument from Psalm 22 that God did not turn his face away. Jesus was not abandoned by God the Father on the cross. Just like David, Jesus trusted in God to ultimately be in control whatever the outcome: “You have rescued me” (v21). God may have chosen not to act in that moment, for in doing so he allowed one to suffer for the sins of many, that we may all find forgiveness and reconciliation in Christ.

Praise God! (v23)

For more discussion on this, see https://www.thebereantest.com/stuart-townend-how-deep-the-fathers-love-for-us