You may not know Psalm 22 by heart but there’s a really strong chance that the opening verses will be familiar.
The beginning of this prophetic Psalm of David are the words that Jesus cries out from the cross: “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani!”. In his native Aramaic tongue Jesus exclaims: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Two basic facts first: this psalm was written around a thousand years before Jesus walked the earth, and the manner of Christ’s death is described, though it was not in use among the Jews. Jews preferred stoning as their method of deviant disposal when David was penning this psalm so to be referencing crucifixion (as he does in verse 16) is pretty cool/strange/odd – choose your own adjective.
Perhaps the bewildering thought that occurs when I read this psalm is: ‘what did it mean for David at the time?’. I understand that he would have had reason to questions God’s faithfulness in the light of the continual threats to his life and yet there’s plenty of verse here that clearly align with the passion of Christ but not with the life and death of David.
Here’s two:
- This person has fallen completely into the hands of his enemies (vs 11,12,16). This never happened to David even in his darkest hour.
- This person dies (vs 15) in complete humiliation and agonizing physical torture (vs 13-17). David died of old age in his own bed (1 Kg. 2:10).
And that’s why it’s a prophetic psalm! David, as a prophet, was supernaturally enabled by God to see and feel what it would be like for the Messiah to die over 1000 years before this occurred. It’s like a blow by blow description of what happens on the cross and it’s heavily intertwined with the gospel narratives we read.
So, why did God lead Jesus to the cross to be poured out like water (poured out in a way that cannot be reclaimed) and have all his bones thrown out of joint (verse 16) by the humiliating death he suffers on the cross? If this is a question rolling around your head, you’ve reached a brilliant ballpark.
On the cross, Jesus was the Lamb of God that took away the sins of the world. Karyn spoke last Sunday at The Big Table about the utter game-changing significance of the shedding of blood from a spotless, perfect sacrifice. In one fell swoop, Jesus did away with the old covenant by utterly fulfilling it and simultaneously ushered in a new covenant…one sealed by his blood.
Hebrews 9 tells us that he has become our better high priest. He has become the high priest that doesn’t come and go but is seated at the right hand of God. His work is complete. Done and dusted.
With the head knowledge of how the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness, what’s our heart response to this news? Psalm 22 gives us some clues.
Verses 27-31 lay down some appropriate responses.
Verse 27: ‘Remember and turn to the Lord…bow down before Him’
Our appropriate response is to reflect on the depth and sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf and turn to him. To turn away from other things and face and follow him.
Verse 31: ‘Proclaim his righteousness…for he has done it’.
We also respond by sharing this good news. Jesus cried out on the cross ‘it is finished’. In these three simple words he addresses the fulfillment of his mission, the fulfillment of the requirements of the old covenant and the law, and the fulfillment of the work of a loving, holy and righteous God who provided his only Son that we would experience new life in Him…not the punishment that our sins deserved.
Yep, it’s good news alright. Worth proclaiming. Worth sharing. Worthy of great gratitude.
– Simon Elliott