Matthew 27:27-66.  What Matthew records about the death of Christ emphasizes how utterly forsaken he was at that time.  He did not deserve the punishment he received, nor the abandonment.  He endured the pain and shame for us.

1. He was  the rightful king of the Jews.  Yet the Roman soldiers made a mockery of his status (27-30).
2. He was the Son of God.  Yet the robbers mocked him by challenging his Father to come down and save him.  His Father wanted to, but his love for us compelled him to forsake his Son (31-43).
3. It was only after his death that the Father displayed his power by the earthquake and by raising the saints.  This was proof for the centurion and those with him that Jesus was the Son of God (44-56).

LORD,  knowing the pain and abandonment you went through for us, we pledge to not add to it by dishonoring your name.

“Truly this was the Son of God!” (27:54)