Dereliction and the Spirit

Matthew’s account of the cry of dereliction follows a chiastic structure:

A. Jesus cries Psalm 22, 27:46

B. He falls for Elijah, 27:47

C. Sponge soaked in wine, drink; 27:48

B’. See whether Elijah comes, 27:49

A’. Cried again and gave Spirit, 27:50

There are a number of interesting connections here.

First, the outer limits of the structure link Jesus’ cry of dereliction with the gift of the Spirit.  His first cry expresses the anguish of His separation from the Father; His second cry is followed by the gift of the Spirit.  By His separation from the Father, Jesus secures the Spirit that is poured out on us.

Second, though it is not structurally apparent, there is an interesting link between B’ and A’.  ”Let us see whether Elijah comes” uses the same verb as “yielded up Spirit.”  In his ascent in the chariot, Elijah left his spirit behind for Elisha.  The fact that Jesus yields His Spirit as He cries out is an answer to the question the onlookers ask: Let’s see if Elijah comes.  He does!

Finally, in the central section someone gives Jesus wine from a sponge.  What does that mean, nestled within references to Elijah?  What does it mean, in a section that begins in dereliction and ends with the gift of the Spirit?  Perhaps we can make some initial sense by recalling that the drink of wine ends Jesus’ Nazirite vow.  Jesus cry of dereliction marks the completion of His work, His obedience to death. Now He can drink wine, and distribute His Spirit in a sabbatical conclusion.   A call for Elijah is taken as a request for wine (at least for one of the bystanders), and that might fit because Elijah was himself a Nazirite.