When things go wrong, don’t blame God. Blame mortal mind!
Mortal mind is the perpetrator of evil, never God.
But thankfully, God is present to negate the evil effects of mortal mind.
When we have enough humility to honor God’s ability to make good things happen, we can find solutions that counter the evil of mortal mind. We can conquer evil with good.
Jesus Christ faced evil all the time. But he never blamed God for the evil he faced. He relied upon God to conquer evil and continue doing good.
For instance, when crucified, he didn’t blame God. He relied upon love to render his enemies harmless and prepare himself for the resurrection. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), he said about those who persecuted him. He didn’t allow their evil to enter his heart. He conquered it with love and rose triumphant above their attack.
We can do the same. When evil happens, don’t blame God. Point the finger of accusation at mortal mind and then conquer mortal mind with the love of divine Mind! That’s a path to happiness and health.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is to say, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”. Matthew 27:46
I’ve always wondered about this verse. It sure can seem like Jesus is blaming God during the crucifixion. I just did an Internet search and got the following. But I’m interested in hearing others views.
Some interpret this as Jesus experiencing a temporary separation from God as he bore the weight of the world’s sin.
Others believe he was intentionally quoting Psalm 22 to draw attention to its full context, which includes a sense of confidence in God’s eventual deliverance and a prophecy of his own resurrection.
I have found that what Jesus said or done was fulfment of Old Testament prophesies. A chain reference Bible confirms this.
Hi Anon, thanks for your comment. I found an article that also refers to it:
“Forsaken by God?” By Abby Hillman. From the April 2, 2012, issue of The Christian Science Sentinel:
https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/2npi4iks7k?s=copylink
Excellent article J, many thanks for seeking it out for us all.
One thing , which I’m ashamed to say is that it referred to Jesus reading the Psalms we so know and love readily. It’s an aspect of Jesus’s daily life I never considered although well aware that he taught from the scribes written word. I feel a bit dumb because I love reading the Psalms and of course Jesus did too! ….
Thank you Evan…. A new revelation every day ❣️
Thank you J! This is a great article and I really appreciate you finding it and sharing it with us all!!!
To Anon, there is a translation issue with the quote you mention that has caused much confusion in the mind of readers. Jesus never saw himself as forsaken. Here is a passage I found written by a Bible scholar many years back that clarified it for me:
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, Imana sabachthani.” Meaning: My God, My God, for this I was kept.”
All versions of the Gospels have retained these words in the original tongue and given them a different meaning. Matthew, according to Eastern version, does not translate them, because he wrote to the people who had seen Jesus and heard Him preaching. It also seems probably that the later writers did not agree on its exact meaning when they translated them into Greek. This term even at present is only used by the Aramaic-speaking people in Assyria, the same language which the Galileans spoke at the time of our Lord. This phrase in Aramaic means, “My God, my God, for this I was kept.” (this was my destiny—I was born for this).”
Jesus did not quote the Psalms. If he had he would have said these words in Hebrew instead of Aramaic, and if he had translated them from Hebrew he would have used the Aramaic word “nashatani,” which means “forsaken me,” instead of the word “shabacktani,” which in this case means, “kept me.”…
The disciples and women who were from Galilee never for a moment could have thought that Jesus said that God had forsaken him. How could he say that when he had told his disciples that the whole world would forsake him, even they, but that the Father would be with him…. (A Key to the Original Gospel)
Hope the above helps!
Thank you Evan….clarity is key and necessary. I’m afraid there is so much to learn.
I’m so grateful for Spirit View.B.x
Thank you, Evan, for revealing this. It is really helpful to know what Jesus actually said. I haven’t ever seen that mentioned
in C.S. articles before, or heard it explained
anywhere. It makes so much more sense.
Thank you, Evan, for sharing the translation from the Aramic. It is very uplifting.
Thank you Evan. I really appreciate you sharing this.
In response to Maggie commenting she has never seen this in any CS periodical, I found one reference to it that can be read via the link below:
https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/7z6iz87324?s=copylink
If the commentator Evan quoted is correct, then Jesus wasn’t referencing Psalms 22. At least that’s how I interpret what Evan shared. However, it sure seems like Jesus’ quoting Psalms 22 would have been a perfect thing for him to quote at the time Matthew/Mark indicate he quoted it. I found this on Reddit:
In Jewish culture, a Rabbi only had to say the opening lines of a passage, and the men of Israel would instantly recall the entire passage. Jewish men of his day memorized the entire Old Testament (what we call the OT at least), and Jesus was using a last Rabbinical tool to teach the nation. If you read the entirety of Psalm 22, you see a beautiful picture of God being one’s only strength. Jesus never thought God abandoned Him, not really. It was always and always will be a lesson.[end of Reddit reference]
But it also makes sense that if Jesus had said the first lines of Psalms 22 he would have said them in Hebrew versus Aramaic since I think when Jews recited the scripture in Jesus’ day they did so in Hebrew instead of Aramaic.
Regarding the statement that “Jesus did not quote the Psalms,” I researched that and found that isn’t true, or at least it doesn’t seem to be true that Jesus never “referenced” the Psalms. For example, in Luke 24:44 there is this, where Jesus mentions “the psalms.”:
And he [Jesus] said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.[end of Luke 24:44]
Then Matthew 21:42 has this:
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? [end of Matt:21:42
That seems to contain almost an exact quote of Psalms 118:22:
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. [end of Psalms 118:22]
And in Mark 14:20-21 where Jesus predicts Judas will betray him is the following:
20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. 21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him:
According to an internet search, some think Jesus was thinking of Psalms 41:9 when he said that:
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. [end of Psalms 41:9]
Anyway, thank you everyone for all of your responses and I just wanted to share what I found after researching this topic more in light of all of the comments. I now think that even if Jesus did quote Psalms 22 from the cross that he wasn’t thinking God had forsaken him and instead was reminding everyone of the prophecy of Psalms 22 and the message from that Psalms that we all are “kept” (maintained in perfect harmony) by God, Love as stated in verse 28 of Psalms 22.
For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations. Psalms 22:28
I’m so glad we have SpiritView to enable these types of conversations and the enlightenment that comes from those conversations!
I found one more instance of Jesus appearing to quote Psalms:
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Psalms 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
Absolutely beautiful – simple, profound and true.
Thank you, Evan.
Dear Anon,
it came to me that Jesus seeming struggle with mortal mind – in Gethsemane and momentarily on the cross, was teaching us not to be discouraged if we struggle with it; but instead to side with God, as he did, (and as Evan recommends), for victory.
S&H 33:18 “When the human element in him struggled with the divine, our great Teacher said: “Not my will, but Thine, be done!” – that is, Let not the flesh, but the Spirit, be represented in me.”
Thank you! So easy and clear to understand!
But how can we blame “nothing”?
“As Mind is immortal, the phrase mortal mind implies something untrue and therefore unreal; and as the phrase is used in Christian Science, it is meant to designate that which has no real existence.” SH 114:13-17
Without this understanding, reading about blaming anything seems like duality. Recently, when challenged with “discourteous drivers” in traffic, rather than thoughtfully calling them “jerks”, I remind myself that it is only suppositious “error driving those cars. This error is in my thought. My “thoughts” are merely an accumulation of my interpretation of human experiences. But, If something is not good, it isn’t True. Therefore I must reject it and replace it with Truth. Now, who is this “I” doing all the thinking and rejecting but that which I reflect, which is the I Am. And what is this error to be dealt with but illusion. Take the word “illusion” and shift a couple of letters around, you will find that is just ill u is on. Ill you is on. We’ve been told “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. Romans 12:2
Paul instructed us to “Put on the new man”. We have all fallen slave to the negative habit patterns of “mortal mind”- human conditioning. The lusts we must overcome are our comfortable habitual responses.
The Kingdom of heaven is within. The gates are always open, welcoming us “home” to peace, joy and Love. The road there is not easy. Remember, when we are “going through” our most challenging growth experiences, that the way is through, don’t be tempted to stop and set up camp there, not even for one night. I like to say ” Thank you, farther” when I’m at my weakest. At the root of every challenge we find fear: False Evidence Appearing Real. Don’t trip on that root. “Love inspires, illumines, designates and leads the way”. SH 454: 18,19.
Let Love lead the way.
Thank you, Love, for your clear, insightful comments. Will read them again and definitely take them to heart.
Thank you, Evan.
As I read your offering I wondered if I sense an urge to blame… I am doing so from alleged view of being separate from God.
Both untrue
Consider that if we are inclined to blame, that we have behind it, or along side it, critcism.
Therefore I present this, that I came across just yesterday… that is how things work, yeah ? or how God works, we are presented before we have asked.
https://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/research/did-francis-fluno-write-criticism/
Thank you, John B. Lovely to read this, because we had this read out to us for many years every Association Day, and it was instilled into us that we must adhere to this wise instruction. It is so important, and we can identify ourselves being tempted to criticise as we watch our thoughts. As ithe article says, “anyone can do it” – whereas everyone should avoid it in every way
possible.
Thank you for the link to this wonderful article. It’s a real clarion call to me about where I need to focus my attention. it brought to thought a recent Sentinel article that spoke to me on a related issue: https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/5rtbcn5xoq?s=copylink
it’s entitled “It’s not my house”. I hope others will find it helpful as well.
As always, thank you, Evan, and other SV readers for your insights and inspiration.
Thank you, Evan, for your uplifting,, inspiring Spirit View. It always blesses all mankind..
Thank you, Evan, for introducing us topic,, because it seems that it is something that is done proverbially – – I don’t think Christian Scientists would ever be inclined to do such ridiculous thing!
I’m extremely grateful to John B for including the transcribed lecture. When I began reading it, I had the horrifying realization that I have become critical and it has permeated too much of my day. He is very thorough in unveiling the devastating harm criticism causes. Oh my! I had lapsed into criticism and I can tell you it’s a miserable place to be. It’s a battleground.
Once again, Christian Science rescues us from such thinking, raises us to our place in heaven where we belong all the time.
Christian Science teaches us to look with Love, think with Mind, reason with Principle, feel with Soul, live with Spirit. This is freedom! This is liberation from all those irepressive and outmoded practices.
I am so very, very grateful for SpiritView, this wonderful morning feast I get to share with truly wonderful thinkers.
Love & gratitude to Evan & all
Do we need to play the “blame game”? By Lisa Rennie Sytsma. From the June 23, 2025 issue of The Christian Science Sentinel:
https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/v7qtg7401o?s=copylink
I always find it helpful to add the work “belief” before the term mortal mind, or evil. For me, it keeps it in the realm of thought, as opposed to some actual being or force. This makes it easier (sometimes) to handle.
CORRECTION: I always find it helpful to add the WORD “belief” before the term mortal mind, or evil. For me, it keeps it in the realm of thought, as opposed to some actual being or force. This makes it easier (sometimes) to handle.
I also want to thank Evan for sharing the insight on Jesus’ cry on the cross. I’d heard of the reference to Psalm 22 before, but the translation issue is so much more meaningful and profound. Thank you.
Thank you Evan.
Thank you very much, Evan for your today’s SpiritView. How can I blame my Father-Mother Love, since Mrs. Eddy says that “”man is the Image of Love” – expresing only Love!
And thank you very much for your inspiring and interesting comment you wrote as reply to Anons comment. It’s indeed
a clarification!!!
I found hymn # 57 very suitable for today:
Father, to Thee we turn away from sorrow,
Thou art the fountain whence our healing flows;
Dark though the night, joy cometh with the morrow;
Safely they rest who on Thy love repose.
Should fond hopes fail and skies seem dark before us,
Should the vain cares that vex our days increase,
Comes with its calm the thought that Thou art o’er us;
Then we grow quiet, folded in Thy peace.
Naught shall affright us, on Thy goodness leaning;
Low in the heart faith singeth still her song;
Chastened and blessed we learn Life’s deeper meaning;
Thus in our meakness Thou dost make us strong. ♡
It’s a lovely hymn of God’s care, shelter, healing and goodness!!
I also love all the wonderfully inspiring articles here, thanks a lot !! ♡
SO WELL SAID !!! THANK YOU..