Psalm 22 - Easter

INTRO

history - a thousand years before the crucifixion...

psalm in two parts - cross/resurrection

amazing to study -

v1 - forsaken

v3 - yet I trust you - “into your hands”

v6 - suffering the shame of the men around him

dogs surrond me - soldiers/demonic attack

i can count all my bones

they cast lots for my garments

in v21 theres a switch… a change from plea to “you have answered me!”

now we know - god delayed 3 days - but a delayed answer is still an answer

THE SUFFERING

Psalm 22:12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet[b]— 17 I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

THE PRAYER

19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog!

THE ANSWER: RESURRECTION

21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

APPLICATION: The prayer and the answer were three days apart.

The father always hears his children though the answer may be delayed.

APP: Ever experienced a trial that lasted years?

Don’t despair. Keep your eyes fixed. Keep your hands to the plow. Be faithful.

IN FACT - Jesus intercedes - prays FOR YOU - his prayers are ALWAYS answered - in due time.

THE ANSWER: Christ Centered worship

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

I WILL TELL - Jesus is here - in our midst - declaring his words - to you.

I WILL PRAISE YOU - Paul later explains in Hebrews that this is specifically SINGING

Jesus proclaims/preaches here with us and Jesus SINGS with us here in our gatherings.

WHICH SHOULD BRING US TO A NATURAL CONCLUSION - we should sing and preach Christ’s words.

if they aren’t his words, or at least a truth derived from his words, then will he sing and proclaim with us? OF COURSE NOT

he won’t mediate… our praises won’t reach the heavens…

do you see the needs here?

if we are not preaching his words / truths, if we are not singing his words / truths - then Sundays are a farce.

and this all hangs on this —> BECAUSE HE LIVES - he sings with us to the LORD and the proclaims God’s truths to us!

we worship and gather with the LIVING CHRIST

Sundays are non-negotiable.

JESUS IS NOW A MISSIONARY

25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation

think on this in terms of today - the great congregation of the world - from 3000 to a billion in just a few thousand years.

HE COMMUNES WITH US

26 - the afflicted shall eat and be satisfied.

LORDS SUPPER BLESSINGS. - The Lord restores the afflicted at his table.

And the work continues

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.

the future - it’s bright.

28 For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.

He is LORD of all - which is why the great commission makes sense.

matt 28 - make disciples of ALL NATIONS - teaching them to obey all that I have commanded.

we read that really thinly.

we read it as “save some of the folks in those nations and then teach them...”

BUT JESUS in the sermon on the mount said EXPLICITLY that NOTHING of the OT commandments pass away. Not a jot or tiddle.

SO IT DOESN”T SAY “save some of the folks and teach them some of the BIble”

We bring all of the word to all people. And all people are accountable to all of the word. THEREFORE - we teach them.

because......

29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.

everything, everyone, will be brought to Jesus. Whether or not they believe

the day of judgement is for all people. And every knee will bow and every tongue confess. Unbelieving or believing. No matter what.

30 Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; 31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.

All these global blessings will be multigenerational…passed down again and again

We haven’t really seen this yet… kind of. a glimmer. maybe some of us have.

but I think we all get excited at the promise.

Do you doubt? Well let me assure you.

, HE HAS DONE IT.

Jesus knew exactly what he was doing when he cited Psalm 22 on the cross.

and he knew it ended in victory.

and now so do you.

When we celebrate Easter Sunday - we celebrate the first victory of MANY!

and one day, death itself will be utterly beaten and under Jesus’ feet, and the gates of hell will fall.

and we’re on that trajectory now. Happy Easter.