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Psalm 22a - Jesus on the cross

Psalm 22a

 Jesus on the cross

 Introduction
Psalm 22 is written as a lament Psalm. It bears many elements which are similar to Christ's death on the cross.

Summary
The Psalm is an alternating sequence - it switches between God forsaking David and God being with David
v1-2, 6-8 and 12-21 are on the forsaking of David
v3-5,9-11 and 22-31 are on God with David

Messianic links
David opens up the Psalm with the line also used by Jesus on the cross.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Matthew 27:46
Eloi, Eloi, lama sabchthani? - the Hebrew (which happens to be the same language Psalms was written in) for the exact same line.
Go down further, to verse 6
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
And further still to verse 16
Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet
Verse 18
They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing
Possibly, this Psalm could have some prophetic background to it as well. Although David was not recorded as gifted by God in the area of prophecy, he was, no doubt, the recipient of many special revelations about the Messiah.

Reading this Psalm, imagine yourself in this position. Forget about the cross for a moment, and imagine yourself. Forsaken by God, unanswered in prayer. Scorned by men and despised by the people, mocked and insulted. Encircled by roaring lions awaiting to tear up their prey. Pierced in your hands and feet, with everything taken from you and torn apart, betted (the dictionary hints me here that there's no such word) over.

That's exactly how Jesus felt, on the cross.

The one Man, fully God, who lived a perfect life - deserving of God's favor and God's grace - who merited eternal life, instead of condemnation, death and judgement - was abandoned by a Father who loved Him. He was scorned by the very men he came to save. He was pierced not only by the nails on the cross, but also by our transgressions.

Unfair?

God - in His righteousness, should judge us. He should condemn us. We don't deserve anything from Him, let alone that He should commit such an act of love. Yet this is what He has done for us.

Let us not diminish this act of ultimate love.

Ephesians 1:7-8
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding 

Side notes:
I broke up this Psalm, firstly, so that the Messianic influence on this Psalm will not be diminished by exploring another topic, and secondly, because I'm in no mood (as horrible an excuse that is), to do the full thing. I'll explain more on Tuesday. I'll do the opposite part of this Psalm tomorrow.

I lost my devotion book where I write all my devotions too. How terrible of me.
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