The Cross Wasn’t a Moment of Abandonment: A Trinitarian Perspective (Part 1)

Recently, while studying Survey of the New Testament during my Master’s in Theology, I had a moment that changed everything. I realized that God the Father was present at the cross.

For years, I had assumed—based on sermons, books, and articles—that God had abandoned Jesus in His darkest hour. But that day, my understanding shifted. This insight inspired my thesis and led me to dig deeply into Scripture, and theology. What I discovered confirmed, in both my mind and heart, that the Father’s never left His Son.

Here’s what I learned—and why it matters for anyone who’s ever struggled with the idea of God’s presence in suffering.

Understanding the Trinity

To understand what happened on the cross, we need to start with the Trinity—the Christian belief that God exists as one being in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

These three are not separate gods; they are inseparable and perfectly united. Millard Erickson, a theologian, describes the Trinity as:

• Three persons who exist in complete union and dependence on one another.

• Each sharing life so fully that each is aware of what the others are aware of.

• Bound together by agape love, a selfless love that prioritizes the others over themselves.

• Equal in essence, though they can have different functional roles at times.

Rodman Williams adds that everything God does is done together—whether it’s creating the world, redeeming humanity, or empowering believers. Nothing the Father does happens without the Son and the Spirit.

In short, the Trinity is united in love and action, always.

God’s Presence in Jesus

God is omnipresent—He is everywhere at all times. But He didn’t just remain distant during Jesus’ life; He became present in a new and deeper way in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is described as the exact image of God (Hebrews 1:3). As He told Philip, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). This means that Jesus never stopped being fully God, even on the cross.

So, the idea that the Father “abandoned” Jesus doesn’t fit with God’s nature. If the Father had truly forsaken Him, it would have broken the perfect love and unity of the Trinity.

What Did Jesus Really Mean on the Cross?

When Jesus cried, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1), it might sound like abandonment at first. But understanding the context is key.

In Jesus’ time, partially quoting Scripture was a common teaching method. People in the Jewish community were familiar with the Psalms. By quoting the opening line of Psalm 22, Jesus invited them to remember the whole Psalm, which ends in hope and God’s ultimate vindication. Scholars note that Psalm 22 points to the suffering Messiah but also emphasizes God’s faithfulness. Jesus’ cry, then, was not despair—it was prophetic and purposeful, showing both His suffering and God’s ultimate plan of redemption.

Scripture Confirms God’s Presence

Several passages confirm that Jesus was never truly alone, even at the cross:

• John 16:32: Jesus knew the Father would always be with Him, even if His disciples left.

• Luke 23:46: Jesus entrusted His Spirit into the Father’s hands.

• 2 Corinthians 5:19: God was actively reconciling the world to Himself through Christ.

In other words, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were inseparably united in the work of redemption. The cross was not a moment of separation—it was a moment of perfect unity and love.

Why This Matters

Understanding the cross as a Trinitarian event changes the way we see suffering, God’s presence, and redemption. Jesus’ cry on the cross shows:

• He fully identified with human pain.

• He fulfilled Scripture and prophecy.

• The Father’s love never left Him, even in the darkest moments.

The cross was a demonstration of divine love and unity, not abandonment. Father, Son, and Spirit worked together to bring salvation to the world.

In Conclusion

The next time you read about Jesus’ suffering, remember this: God the Father was with Him every step of the way. The Trinity was united in love, even in the agony of the cross.

Jesus’ cry, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” was not a cry of abandonment—it was a profound reminder that God is always present, even when life feels darkest.

The cross shows us the incredible depth of God’s love and the inseparable unity of the Trinity.