the Cross of Christ in the OT - Psalm 22

The story of the basset hound appeared in Tacoma, Washington newspaper.

The dog's name was Tattoo. The reporter wrote, "Tattoo didn't plan on going for a run that evening, but when his owner accidentally shut the poor dog's leash in the car door and drove away from home, Tattoo had little choice."

Now, thankfully when he started driving, a policeman saw the poor dog's dilemma and pulled the car over.

The cop had one interesting observation -- he said, "That basset hound was picking up his feet and putting them down [just] as fast as he could." Amazingly, his short legs got him up to 25 miles an hour in spite of being rolled several times!

Do you ever feel like that little Basset Hound? Do you feel like life is moving so fast that you cant catch your breath?

Today I want to invite you to slow down and study God’s word with us.

Let’s take the next few minutes and study things that are much more important than anything else that we can have going on.

Over the past three weeks we have focused on the Cross of Jesus.

We have looked at how the Cross represents our Substitute – he took on our sins and was crushed on our behalf.

We have looked at how the cross is a victory over sin and death.

We looked last week at the doctrine of the Suffering Servant found in Isaiah 53 and in the four servant songs of Israel that span the gap of Isaiah 42-53.

This week we will close out the series on the cross and look at another astonishing passage from the OT about the cross.

As a matter of fact I hope you are convinced after last week and this week that you can preach the gospel from the Old Testament.

Peter tells us in his sermon at Pentecost:
David...a prophet...foresaw and spoke...of the Christ" (Acts 2:29-31).

Charles Spurgeon the great English Preacher said this off the Psalm we will look at today:
"We should read reverently, putting off our shoes from off our feet, as Moses did at the burning bush, for if there be holy ground anywhere in Scripture it is in this psalm" (C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, vol. 1, p. 365).
Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm.
It is also a Passion Psalm, telling of the death of the Christ. David is the author.
Although we usually think of him as a king and secondly as a writer of Psalms, Peter in Acts 2 calls him a prophet.
Peter was referring to other Psalms by David and his prophecy of the resurrection rather than the death of Jesus, but his description as quoted above is appropriate for our study.
In this Psalm of David we have a treasure house of information about the death of Jesus.
In 1842 a minister in England, John Stevenson, wrote a book entitled Christ on the Cross.
He included one sermon in this book for each verse of Psalm 22. That means he wrote thirty-one sermons on the cross of Jesus based on Psalm 22.
Obviously this Old Testament passage merits our very careful consideration.
Psalm 22 can conveniently be divided into two parts. The first half (verses 1-21) is the cry of a persecuted saint.
The second half (verses 22-31) speaks of deliverance and hope.
It is possible that Jesus meditated upon Psalm 22 while he suffered crucifixion, maybe even quoting it in totality as he hung there on Calvary.
The Psalm begins with the familiar words, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?" (Psa. 22:1).
So Jesus quoted the beginning of Psalm 22 while on the cross. Is that all he quoted?
Maybe and maybe not. We may have just a skeleton outline of what he actually said.
It is possible that he quoted the ending of Psalm 22.
John tells us that right before Jesus died he said, "It is finished" (Jn. 19:30).
While this may have been an independent saying meaning that his suffering was finished, it is possible that it is the ending of Psalm 22.
It ends with the words, "he has wrought it" (Psa. 22:31).
You can translate that "He has done it", "He has finished it", or "he has performed it" (NASB).
While they sound very different in English, in the original they are very similar expressions.
Now we do not know if Jesus quoted the whole Psalm or even meditated on it as he suffered on the cross, but we do know he thought of it enough to quote the opening verses.
As we study this Psalm I think you will see that the whole Psalm would have been a very appropriate meditation or quotation for our Lord on Golgotha.
With this I want to share the first 17 verses with Psalm 22 with you this morning.
Now keep in mind that this Psalm was written 1000 years before Christ was born.
Now this morning I want you to put this prayer and passage on the lips and mind of Christ on the cross – now before you baulk on this and think I am crazy, I want you to consider something –
This will make much more sense if you will do this – as we read this and understand this passage this morning think about the Cross.
Psalm 22: 1-17
1 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. 2 O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer ; And by night, but I have no rest. 3 Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 4 In You our fathers trusted ; They trusted and You delivered them. 5 To You they cried out and were delivered ; In You they trusted and were not disappointed. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, A reproach of men and despised by the people. 7 All who see me sneer at me; They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying, 8 "Commit yourself to the LORD ; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him." 9 Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb ; You made me trust when upon my mother's breasts. 10 Upon You I was cast from birth ; You have been my God from my mother's womb. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near ; For there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have surrounded me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me. 13 They open wide their mouth at me, As a ravening and a 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 me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And my tongue cleaves to my jaws ; And You lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; 18 They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.
1) My God, My God why has they forsaken me.
One of the most fascinating things about this passage is the fact that Jesus quoted the first verse from the Cross.
We read in Matthew 27:
In Matthew 27:46 Jesus quotes this verse from the Cross:
46 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?"
What did Jesus mean when he cried out that God had forsaken him?
It is said that 16th c. theologian Martin Luther once sat in his study for hours to meditate on this passage.
For hours he sat oblivious to the world around him. Finally, someone heard him say, “God forsaking God . . . no one can understand that” and he went on about his business.
The great 19th c. preacher, C.H. Spurgeon, preached a message on this passage and said,
“I think I can understand the words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" as they are written by David in the 22nd Psalm; but the same words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
when uttered by Jesus on the cross, I cannot comprehend, so I shall not pretend to be able to explain them.”
Many explanations have been offered to try to soften the tone of these words.
If we take the cry of Jesus seriously, it must mean that God did forsake him.
For a brief period of time symbolized by the darkness, God withdrew his presence from Christ that he might completely suffer for our sins.
Think how horrible it must feel to be forsaken.
At some point in your life you have been forsaken by someone--friends, relatives, or a mate.
Being forsaken can leave you with an empty feeling inside that gives life a bad taste.
Let us not forget that Jesus was forsaken by God for our sake.
Notice the change in the relationship – Jesus always addressed God as Father, but here he has become as distant as a sinful man crying out to his God.

Notice the change in the relationship – Jesus always addressed God as Father, but here he has become as distant as a sinful man crying out to his God.

In the midst of this cry we are able to catch a glimpse into the depth of Christ’s suffering on the cross. His physical pain was torturous.
Emotionally he was worn out. But spiritually was where the real pain and suffering were.
The spiritual agony of taking on the sin of the world was more than anyone should have to endure.

At this moment, Christ was not the beloved Son in whom the Father was well-pleased (Matt. 3 / Matt. 17), but instead he was now the object of God’s wrath.

At this moment Christ was becoming the atonement / payment for our sin.

Rom. 6:33 – “The wages of sin is death…”

Galatians 3: 13

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE "

This moment of forsakenness comes when Jesus takes on our sin – he becomes a literal curse on our behalf.

He is accursed so that we don’t have to experience the separation of the Father.

Paul makes his appeal to become a Christian based on this fact of Jesus taking on our sin.

2 Corinthians 5: 20-21
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Paul tells us that Christ, who is sinless, embodies sin and literally becomes sin so that we can have righteousness.
God wants to cloth us with His righteousness based on the work of Christ.
So in this first verse of Psalm 22 we get a glimpse into Christ becoming desolate – separated from God the Father because of sin.
2) An Appeal to God for Help – Crying out for God’s Vindication:
In Psalm 22: 3-5 we see that Christ is appealing to God
He then appeals as high as he can, to God's moral character.
God is pictured as being enthroned on the prayers of praise of Israel (vs. 3).
The point is that God has been worthy of praise in the past.
God has rescued his people in the past so that they have sung his praises. Surely he will do the same again for this persecuted saint.
Verse 4 is a clear reminder to God of his past actions.
3) I am but a worm
In order to bring forth the mercy of God the Psalmist compares his value to that of a worm (vs. 6). His life has as much value as the life of a worm.
How much do we value a worm?
We step on a worm, but we lose no sleep over it.
We take worms and go fishing with them, and it does not bother us in the least.
Have you ever thought about what we actually do to a worm when we put it on a fishhook?
Can you imagine that being done to you?
Can you imagine a huge piece of steel being run through your body from end to end?
That is what we do to worms!
The Psalmist feels like a worm. He is treated as nothing. He is shown no mercy. He is defenseless.
Now imagine these words in the mouth of Christ or these thoughts as He is on the Cross -
4) Taunting on the Cross Psalm 22: 7-8
Verse 7 recalls the scenes of the cross where the spectators taunt Jesus, daring him to come down from the cross and save himself.
The very Greek word used in the LXX translation of this verse is also used by Luke in his narration (Lk. 23:35).
Luke 23: 35-37
35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, "He saved others ; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One." 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself !"

5) In verse 11 of Psalm 22 – Strong bulls have surrounded me.
In several verses of this Psalm the plight of the Psalmist is compared to that of one surrounded by wild or dangerous animals.
The picture is that of the strong circling and closing in on the weak.
Bulls in Palestine, and everywhere I guess, are in the habit of circling close to an object that arouses their curiosity. Then at the slightest provocation they might attack.
Bashan is a geographical area famous for its rich pasture land which would mean lots of bulls.
6) My Bones are out of joint
Psalm 22 verse 14 – his bones are out of joint
This was a fact of Roman persecution – they would sublux the shoulder joint to make death come quickly.
Many times the shoulders would come out of joint after hanging on the cross for long periods of time.
This is a historically accurate description of a crucifixion.
7) My tongue cleaves to my Jaw
Psalm 22: 15 – my tongue cleaves to my jaw
He is dried up like a potsherd – a potsherd is a dried up, dried out piece of pottery.
This pottery was very dry and brittle – Jesus’s strength is drained out and He is poured out unto death.
This describes a person with cotton mouth or in a state of dehydration.
Crucifixion would bring on dehydration because of the loss of fluids. Jesus would be in much worse shape than most because He endured scourging as well as crucifixion.
John 19: 28
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, "I am thirsty."
John's account tells us specifically that Jesus was thirsty on the cross.
8) They can see all of my bones
Psalm 22 verse 17 tells us that all of his bones can be seen.
One thing that would happen after the brutal beating that a scourging victim took was that their rib cage may be exposed.
The scourging was administered on the back first and then the victim would be flipped over and beaten on their torso until they lost consciousness.
9) They pierce my hands and feet
Psalm 22 verse 16 he talks about a band of evil doers have encompassed me and have pierced my hands and feet.
This is probably one of the most fascinating parts of this prophecy – David writes this some 500 – 700 years before Crucifixion will be invented as a form of execution.
This is amazing that He would predict in detail that this Messiah would be pierced in his hands and feet.
10) They divide my garments – the cast lots for His garments.
Psalm 22 verse 18 tells us that they will cast lots and divide his garments.
Many scholars at one time questioned the historicity of the dividing of the garments of Jesus -but archaeologists have found that this is true of Roman crucifixion- this was a perk of having crucifixion detail if you were a Roman soldier.
They got to gamble for the garments of the condemned. Pretty morbid when you think about the practice.
Matthew 27: 35
35 And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots
Don’t you find it amazing that David would be able to predict a practice of Roman soldiers during a crucifixion some 1000 years before the event would take place.
If you have ever doubted the inspiration of Scripture, well this passage should help you get over that doubt.
TURNING POINT
There is a marked turning point in this Psalm 22 – it doesn’t leave us at the cross – it doesn’t end with just pain and anguish – it leads us upward to hope.
In verse 19 The Psalmist Cries out to God for deliverance again and by verse 22 we see God’s vindication:
Psalm 22: 22-31
22 I will tell of Your name to my brethren ; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You. 23 You who fear the LORD, praise Him; All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel. 24 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 for help, He heard. 25 From You comes my praise in the great assembly ; I shall pay my vows before those who fear Him. 26 The afflicted will eat and be satisfied ; Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever ! 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations will worship before You. 28 For the kingdom is the LORD'S And He rules over the nations. 29 All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship, All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him, Even he who cannot keep his soul alive. 30 Posterity will serve Him; It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation. 31 They will come and will declare His righteousness To a people who will be born, that He has performed it.
Now notice how this victory applies to all:
All the Nations and Families of the Earth will worship God because of this vindication.
God will be made known to a new generation – a clear indication of the Gentiles that the Gospel will go to.
So let us put all this in perspective.
Psalm 22: 1-18 give us a vivid picture of desolation
Crucifixion, thirst, beatings,
Christ’s passion
But in verse 19 we see a clear indication that this suffering Messiah will be vindicated – we know that it is the resurrection from the dead.
He will be vindicated and because of that the whole earth will rejoice. All people will worship God because of this vindication.
Now as we close out I want to share two thoughts of application with you:
1) The Altar and the Table
I am now working on a Master’s thesis and my topic as I have told you is the Lord’s Supper but what I want to share with you is this:
Psalm 22 is connected to the Lord’s Supper
The Early Church saw this Psalm as a Thanksgiving Psalm – the Lord’s Supper was called the Eucharist –
Literally that means Thanks.
You see this Psalm was read to be and understood connected to the Lord’s Supper
Let me explain- the Early Christians saw the Cross of Christ as the altar of God on which the perfect lamb was sacrificed
In the Temple on Passover when the Lambs were slaughtered they were stretched out and hung on sticks in the shape of a cross.
On that day of crucifixion that true lamb of God was stretched out on the cross. The once and for all perfect sacrifice for your sin.
The Lords Supper table is seen as the place to celebrate, commemorate, and share in the fellowship we have in God –
The cross being the Altar and the Table being a place of celebration of our forgiveness of sin.
Today when you come to the Lord’s Table – it is a time to celebrate what Jesus did – He died and gave you life.
Don’t ever take this Lord’s Supper lightly – don’t forget – don’t go through the motions but really stop today and think about that cross and the pain and anguish – think about the victory won for you.
2) The CROSS is the only HOPE FOR THE WORLD
Alexander Solzhenitsyn was a prisoner in Russia.
He was a critic of the Soviet Union and his first imprisonment happened in 1945 for speaking out against Stalin.
He was converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity while in a Gulag or work camp.
he was on a program of hard labour and slow salvation.
One day he felt like giving up.
He felt his life could not make a difference.
He sat down on a bench knowing that when he was spotted by a guard he would be ordered back to work when he failed to respond the guard would bludgeon him to death.
As he sat waiting, head down, he felt a presence. slowly he lifted his eyes.
Next to him sat an old man with a wrinkled, utterly expressionless face.
Hunched over, the old man drew a stick through the sand at Solzhenitsyn’s feet deliberately tracing out the sign of the cross.
As Solzhenitsyn stared at the rough outline his entire perspective shifted.
Yet in that moment, he knew that the hope of all mankind was represented by that simple cross - and through its power anything was possible.
Solzhenitisyn slowly got up , picked up his shovel and went back to work - not knowing that his writings on truth and freedom would one day enflame the whole world
You need the cross in your life – if you are not a Christian – grab hold to the victory won for you.

This same symbol that kept Solzhenitisyn going is one that can transform your life.

The Cross of Christ can mean more for you than you could ever imagine.

He was deserted that you might never be deserted.

-- He was abandoned that you might never be abandoned.

-- He was forsaken that you might never be forsaken.

-- He tasted death that you might experience life.