kp,
Don't get me wrong, II understand why it links to Psalm 22, I'm not disputing that at all. I'm just wondering if there potentially something even deeper here, i.e. a double meaning of some kind and a sort of built in resolution to supposed contradictions in this area.
The Psalm seems to start off in abandonment - azab, but then moves towards another level in verse 16, and seems to end with, he has done it. If the Aramaic word in question CAN have two meanings (spared / forsaken), and maybe I'm reading into this too much, would it not also be possible for it to bear the "alternative" rendering of "for this my life's purpose has been completed" or to really simplify it, it is finished. It's probably a stretch, but I had to ask, and I don't think my question was adequately communicated earlier.
I did some more checking and found what is a far simpler explanation to the supposed contradiction taken from (http://www.thedevineevidence.com/skeptic_contradictions.html).
WHAT WERE JESUS' LAST WORDS?
(NIV) Contradiction 1: About the ninth hour Jesus cried out... My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46
(NIV) Contradiction 2: Jesus called out with a loud voice, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. When he had said this, he breathed
his last. Luke 23:46
(NIV) Contradiction 3: Jesus said, It is finished. With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30
The passage in Matthew doesn't present a problem for us as it states these were not Jesus' last words. Matthew also partially solves our problem when he states in verse 50 that Jesus cried out again before finally expiring. The real "problem" comes from Luke and John who both claim to quote Jesus' actual last words. One possible solution is the men's position in relation to the cross. The above verses differentiate between Jesus'spoken and shouted statements. Because John was said to have been at the foot of the cross, it is possible he heard Jesus' spoken words while the others only heard the statements Jesus shouted. Because Matthew mentions Jesus shouting another statement, this scenario is possible.
However, I understand some skeptics may feel I am streeeetching this one so I'll offer a further explanation for those who may not be satisfied. The four Gospels were written by four different authors, each of them recording their version of events. Once we harmonize the Gospel accounts our explanation doesn't seem to be so difficult:
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." Later... Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips and offered it to Jesus to drink. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." [referring to the fulfillment of prophecy] The rest said [implying Jesus was not yet dead], "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" he breathed his last and He gave up his spirit.