The Psalm of the Cross

Intro: “I feel as though Christ died yesterday.” - Martin Luther

When was the last time you felt the weight of the cross? When was the last time you considered your part in the cross?

Billions of people have died throughout history. Why is the death of this one man so significant?

Because of who He was - the sinless Son of God

Because it was always part of the plan (Acts 2:23 “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” )

Because of what it achieved - reconciliation between man and God.

Because of what it demonstrated - the character of God (love and justice), the willingness of Jesus to endure it.

Because of what it exemplifies - love, humility, how to suffer etc.

Because of the future it points to - “There are only two days on the calendar, this day and that day.” - Luther

This Psalm is certainly bigger than David. Acts 2:30 “Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,”

Spurgeon said of this Psalm that “it is a photograph of our Lord’s saddest hours, the record of His dying words, the prompting of His last tears, the memorial of His expiring joys.”

It seems that this entire Psalm may have been on the mind of Christ as He was crucified as it begins with “My God, My God why have You forsaken Me?” and ends with “He has done it.” (or it is finished). Just as Jesus was encouraged by the Scriptures in the wilderness it seems that He also had the Scriptures on His mind as He was crucified.

The Pain of the Cross

Abandonment v. 1, 2

It is important to note that this cry of Jesus does not represent a lack of faith but of disorientation.

We will never be abandoned because He was abandoned for us.

In what way was Christ forsaken by God?

It is difficult to understand in what sense Jesus was “forsaken” by God.

It is certain that God approved His work.

It is certain that Jesus was innocent. He had done nothing to forfeit the favor of God.

As God’s own Son—holy, harmless, undefiled, and obedient—God still loved Him. In none of these senses could God have forsaken Him.

Perhaps Paul gives us a clue in the book of Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—”

He was made a sin-offering, and He died in our place, on our account, that He might bring us near to God.

It was this, doubtless, that intensified His sufferings and part of why Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

It was the manifestation of God’s hatred of sin, in some unexplained way, that Jesus experienced in that terrible hour.

The suffering He endured was due to us, and it is that suffering by which we can be saved from eternal death.

God placed the sins of the world on His Son, and Jesus for a time felt the desolation of being unconscious of His Father’s presence. It was at this time that “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The last thing to note about the cry of Jesus from the cross is that it was certainly intentional. Why quote a Psalm now? Because it proves He is the fulfillment of this Psalm.

Silence v. 3-5

In one sense these verses are words of praise. They speak of the historical faithfulness of God.

There is also an underlying question, You were not silent then so why are you silent now?

For the sake of God’s glory and the redemption of man Christ endured not only the abandonment of God but also His deafening silence.

At the baptism of Jesus God Himself spoke, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” But not here, here God was silent.

Humiliation v. 6-8

“I am not a man I am a worm.” - Spurgeon notes the contrast of the I AM saying “I am a worm.” It denotes a feeling of worthlessness.

This mockery is also a fulfillment. Matthew 27:39 “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads”

Christ’s suffering was much more than physical. It was mental, emotional and spiritual. It has been said that the spiritual suffering of the cross may have been the greater agony.

That is exactly what the mockers go after.

Psalm 22:8 ““He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!””

Matthew 27:43 “He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ””

Suffering v. 12-18

It is only after considering the abandonment, silence and humiliation of Christ that the Psalm draws our attention to the physical pain He endured.

Summary - It almost seems like David was there when Jesus died.

Surrounded by enemies (bulls, lions and dogs)

Poured out like water

Bones out of joint

Heart like wax (melted)

Strength like broken pottery

Mouth dry with overwhelming thirst - “I thirst” proceeded “It is finished”

Laying in the dust of death

Hands and feet are pierced

Emaciated - “I can count all my bones”

Stripped down - “They cast lots for my garments.” Matthew 27:35 “And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.”

Conclusion: Why did the death of Christ have to be so intense, painful and gruesome? The suffering of His death shows the seriousness of our sin.

The God of the Cross

Faithfulness v. 9-11

Even as He hangs on the cross Jesus considers the faithfulness of God.

After describing the humiliation of v. 6-8 the thoughts of Jesus turn to the comfort the Father has always been to Him.

Like a baby being nursed by a mother. This earth knows no greater comfort.

Supplication v. 19-21

We know that Christ was both fully God and fully man.

We also know that Christ while unwilling to anything contrary to His Father’s will also once asked, Matthew 26:39 “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”” This too was a supplication, a request.

So it shouldn’t surprise that perhaps this Psalm was on the mind of Christ leading up to and during His crucifixion.

Psalm 22:19–21 “But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!”

I believe that the end of v. 21 actually belongs with v. 22.

You answered me! I will proclaim...

Exaltation v. 22-26

There is a sudden and dramatic shift in tone from v. 21 to v. 22

Suddenly we have shouts of praise and exaltation.

What changed? These verses imply a future resurrection of Christ in which he would announce his triumph over sin and death. From Hebrews 2:12, it is clear that Christ proclaimed, I will declare your name to my brothers. This verse is quoted in Hebrews 2:12 as referring to Christ. It tells us that Jesus is the speaker and will continue to be throughout the rest of this psalm. In the congregation I will praise you is a prophecy concerning Jesus’ appearance in the upper room to his disciples, later to five hundred at once, and ultimately to those in heaven ( 1 Corinthians 15:5–7 “and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” )

Victory v. 27-31

The end of this chapter leaves us with a key question.

We read of the death of Christ and that happened

We read of the resurrection of Christ and that happened

But at the end we read Psalm 22:27 “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.” - Has that happened?

Is there still some future victory enabled by the death and resurrection of Christ that we are waiting on?