The sufferings of Christ- Psalm 22

Introduction

In this psalm we have a profound description of the sufferings of Christ. Although it was written 1000 years before Jesus died on the cross, it is a prophecy of the suffering he would endure in the place of sinners.

I heard an account recently of a life changing experience of an important Christian in the 18th century called Count Zinzendorf. He was an early pioneer in world missions and an important figure in 18th century protestantism. He was from a very wealthy background but decided to live his life for Christ alone.

He was brought to the place of living totally for Jesus when he considered the sufferings of Christ on his behalf.

One day whilst visiting Dusseldorf in Germany he saw a painting by an Italian artist which was called Behold the man. It was a painting of Christ having been whipped. At the bottom of the painting it said "This have I done for thee; now what wilt thou do for me?"  He was so moved by the painting, and his deep awareness of the grace of Christ that he was led to dedicate his life to the service of the Saviour.

This I have done for thee; now what wilt thou do for me?

This is a very challenging question when asked by the Saviour who suffered in our place. It is a question we should keep in mind as we look at this psalm together this evening.

This psalm however isn’t all sad. Yes it does cover the sufferings of Christ in v.1-21, but from v.22-31 we see the psalm turns to one of victorious praise. The psalm not only predicts the suffering of Christ it also predicts his victory over suffering and death and him gathering people to himself from every nation.

I want us to look at the psalm in these two sections this evening.

The suffering servant

The conquering Christ

I. The suffering Servant- God is silent v.1-21

a) My God, My God v.1-5

First then in v.1-21 we have the suffering servant. In v.1-3 we see that Jesus felt abandoned on the cross.

The psalm begins with words that are very familiar to us. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

We will recognise these words as coming from the lips of our Lord Jesus as he hung on the cross. We read in Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Here we have a window into what was happening when Christ was on the cross. In some mysterious way the Father turned away from the Son. The Bible says he became sin for us and elsewhere Christ became a curse for us. It was Christ’s identification with our sin on the cross that caused the Father to turn away as it were.

The reason Christ suffered on the cross was for our sins, he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.

This I have done for thee; now what wilt thou do for me?

Yet we see that although Christ asks why God has forsaken him we see he still trusted the Father. This is something we see through out the entire psalm.

In v.3-5 he exclaims that God is holy, the Fathers trusted in him and he delivered them. Even when the Father seemed far away still Christ new he was to be trusted.

b) They mock me v.6-11

But after this proclamation of trust, Christ turns back to his sufferings. It is important to bear in mind that these words are descriptive of the Creator himself who became flesh and dwelt among us.

v 6-8 say “ But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people. 7 All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

Here we see the Lord Jesus who was adored by angels was being scorned and mocked by men. We have almost a direct quotation in v.8 of what the chief priests and scribes said about Christ when he was on the cross.

Matthew 27:41-43 “Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, 42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

Here we are told about the further sufferings of Christ. Not only had the Father distanced himself from the Son while he was on the cross. He was suffering cruel mockery and ridicule from the very people he had created. The very people he came to save.

Jesus did this for us.

This I have done for thee; now what wilt thou do for me?

Again after describing his sufferings, he proclaims his trust in God. in v-9-11 he describes how from the incarnation where he was born of the virgin Mary he had always trusted the Father.

Here we have an example of how we as Christians are to respond in our suffering. We are to continue to trust in God.

c) Physical suffering v.12-21

In v.12-21 we have the final section that describes his sufferings on our behalf. Here we have a description of his physical sufferings.

in v.12-13 he speaks of being surrounded by enemies.

In. v.14 he describes what probably would have taken place in the crucifixion. He says All by bones are out of joint.

One writer describes the process like this; As the strength of the muscles of Jesus’ lower limbs tired, the weight of His body had to be transferred to His wrists, His arms, and His shoulders. Within a few minutes of being placed on the cross, Jesus’ shoulders were almost certainly dislocated. Minutes later Jesus’ elbows and wrists became dislocated.

This I have done for thee; now what wilt thou do for me?

In v.15 we read “My tongue clings to my jaws”. This pictures the thirst of Christ on the cross. In John 19:28 we read “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”

Again in v.16 he speaks about being surrounded by his enemies and then at the end of that verse he says “They pierced My hands and My feet;”

A clear description of the crucifixion, of being nailed to the cross.

Then in v.17-18 we are reminded that he hung naked upon the cross. He says “ I can count all My bones.They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”

The reason he could count all his bones was because he was naked, and he said they look and stare at me. They did this to humiliated the one being crucified.

Not only that but the they divided his clothes among themselves. We read about this happening in all four Gospels Matthew 27:35 says “Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them,And for My clothing they cast lots.”

This I have done for thee; now what wilt thou do for me?

Then again after describing his own sufferings he calls upon the Father to deliver him and help him in v.19-21.

Application

Here we have a very graphic description of all that the Lord Jesus suffered. We must remember He did this in order to redeem us from our sin. This is what we deserve for our sin yet he has taken it in our place.

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned he stood, sealed my pardon with his blood. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

This I have done for thee; now what wilt thou do for me?

If Christ is your Saviour this evening then what should your response be? Surely it should be to take up our cross and follow him. To desire to do his will alone. To seek to live lives of purity and holiness in obedience to the one who purchased us with his own blood.

We should be making Christ known where he as put us, we should make his glory our aim in life.

If you are not a Christian then your response must be to repent and believe. He died on the cross to pay for the sins of all who believe.

II. The conquering Christ- God has answered v.22-31

So the first part of the psalm paints a picture of distress and pain. We have a very vivid picture of what Jesus suffered on the cross to pay for our sins.

But then the psalm changes in tone. It goes from being a heavy psalm of crying to God for help to one that is bursting with joy because God has answered.

The change comes at the end of v.21

In the NKJV it says You have answered me. Other translations capture this too like the ESV or NASB for example. The NIV for some reason has chosen to follow the septuagint here which is a greek translation of the Hebrew OT. So they leave that word out. We use four words in the English but it is one word in the Hebrew.

After that proclamation the psalm becomes a psalm of praise.

When did God answer Christ? He didn’t rescue him from the cross, Jesus did die on the cross. But Jesus did not stay dead. God raised him from the dead. He did not allow his body to see corruption.

The First section paints the crucifixion of Christ the second part pictures his exaltation after his resurrection.

a) His brethren v.22-26

This section begins with Christ speaking to the Father and saying that he will declare his name to his people.

v.22 says “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.”

This verse is quoted in Hebrews 2:12 as being said by Christ. The writer of Hebrews understood that Christ is speaking in this psalm. Hebrew 2:10-12 says “ 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”

The writer to the Hebrews applies this passage to Christ declaring the Father’s name to his people. Revealing the Father to them.

He calls his people to praise the Father in v.22-23 then in v.24 he telss them why; “ For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard.

This verse again makes reference to the resurrection. God raised Christ from the dead.

In v.25-26 Christ continues to praised the Father.

b) All nations v.27-31

Then from v.27 to the end of the psalm Jesus declares what the outcome of his death and resurrection shall be.

All nations will worship God.

v.27 “ All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the Lord, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You.”

In v.29 Christ says that both the prosperous and those who die shall praise God.

v.30-31 Christ declares that this shall go on from generation to generation. Then at the end of v.31 he says it will be declared forever that He has done this.

He has done what?

The Father raised Christ from the dead. Yes Jesus suffered for the sins of the world on the cross. Yes the Father turned his face away, the people mocked, they nailed his hands and feet, he hung naked, his bones were out of joint, he thirsted. yes he died.

But God answered him. Jesus was raised from the dead victorious, conquering sin and death.

Yes Jesus suffered on the cross but he did so in order that he might have a people for himself and that all nations should serve him.

Conclusion

In this psalm we have the crucifixion of Christ and the resurrection and exaltation of Christ.

In v.1-21 we have the graphic description of what our Lord Jesus suffered on our behalf for our sin. The question that is such as challenge when thinking about the sufferings of Christ is This I have done for thee, now what wilt thou do for me?

What will we do for Christ, he gave his life for us are we giving our lives for him? Are we living for him, to know him and to make him known? Is his glory our aim in life?

The psalm after describing the suffering of Christ then goes on to describe the outcome of his resurrection. Christ has a people for himself who he reveals the Father to and he will gather the nations to himself.

The suffering servant and the conquering Christ.

Let us pray.