Read Psalm 22
I have found this to be one of the hardest psalms for me to read and study. I've read it in every Bible version, even going back to the old King James. I've read all the Commentaries, trying to find a gentle light to put on it, but the simple fact is, there seemed to be a time in David's life, no matter how much he trusted in the Lord, when he felt this relationship was breaking down.
There was also a time in Jesus' life when He felt separated from His Father. When you think about it, there may have been a time in your life, when you have felt so alone, that God has seemed far away, and you too have asked this question.
"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you for help, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but you do not answer." Psalm 22:1&2 (NLT)
So, why did David and Jesus ask this question? What were they doing when they asked this question? Well, with David, we are not really sure, but we do know that Jesus was on the cross, with the sins of the world on Him - our sins. And it's simple really, if not a little scary, but our `holy creator cannot have fellowship with sin.'
"You are of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot look on iniquity." Habbakuk 1:13 (KJV)
DAVID'S STORY
Read Psalm 22:1-5, 2 Samuel 11
We don't know exactly when David wrote this Psalm. We do know he was often taunted because of his faith and had lots of enemies, but worse than any physical persecution is that of the soul. I wouldn't be surprised if this Psalm wasn't written after his adulterous act with Bathsheba, after he had her husband killed. He would have known he had done wrong and these acts would have disappointed God. Although we later know that his repentance was real, and God showed Him forgiveness and mercy. But because we know that God does not have fellowship with sin, there would have also have been a time for David, when it felt like his `friendship with God was breached'.
In his book `And the Angels were Silent', Max Lucado talks about the lonliness, confusion and desolation you feel when lost in sin. It may be just for a short time until you find your way back, but for a while when it comes to your relationship with God, sin leaves you feeling like an `orphan, abandoned'.
There is GOOD NEWS though!
1. Is there a time in your life when you have felt this lonliness, confusion and desolation because of sin in your life? Were you able to find your way back to God?
MESSIANIC PROPHECY
Read Psalm 22:1, 6-18, Mark 15:16-41.
Psalm 22 is indeed a Messianic Prophecy, for we know that when he was on the cross:
1) His hands and feet were pierced and he watched them gamble his clothes. (V16&18)
"Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and then threw dice to decide who would get each piece." Mark 15:24 (NLT)
2) He was aware of the people's scorn and mocking words. (V6-8)
"People walked by and shook their heads saying, `You said you could destroy the temple and build it in three days. So save yourself! Come down from that cross! The leading priests and teachers of the law were also making fun of Jesus. They said to each other. `He saved other people, but He can't saved Himself." Mark 15:30&31a (KJV)
3) He was praying (V9-13)
"Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 (NLT)
4) He was in pain, He was thirsty and He'd lost all strength. (V14&15)
"The placing of the cross in it's socket had shaken Him with great violence, had strained all his ligaments, pained every nerve and more or less dislocated all his bones. Burdened with His own weight, the august sufferer felt the strain increasing every moment of those six long hours. His sense of faintness and weakness were overpowering, while to his own conciousness He became nothing but a mass of misery and swooning sickness" Charles Spurgeon 1.
5) He felt abandoned by His Father. (V1)
"Then at 3 o'clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?", which means, "My God, My God, why have you abandoned me." Mark 15:34
Yes, David may have felt rejected, with a soul in torment, and we may have had a similar experience at some time; but this would have been nothing compared to the lonliness and pain that Jesus experienced on the cross. For Jesus not only had our sins laid upon Him, but the sins of the whole world.
"All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned, everyone to his own way and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6 (KJV)
"The next day John saw Jesus coming and said to Him, `Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." John 1:29
"Wait a minute, "To take away the sins"..... I'd never thought about these words. I'd read them, but I'd never thought about them. I just thought sent sin away, you know, banished it. I thought you just stood in front of the mountains of our sins and told them to be gone. It never occurred to me that you actually touched it - or worse still, that it touched you. That must have been a horrible moment. You really were alone. You really were afraid, just like I was. Only I deserved it, you didn't." Max Lucado 2
2. What kinds of emotions does Jesus' crucifixion dwell up inside of you?
3. When was the last time you felt lonely and afraid? Remember, it was because of what Christ went through for us that we don't have to feel this way anymore.
THE GOOD NEWS - SALVATION FROM SIN
Read Psalm 22:19-26
Yes, at first this was a hard Psalm to read. Like Max it was a reminder of how sin had once touched my life and I had been separated from God. It was hard to think about the pain and the lonliness my Lord must have felt when He was on the cross - rejected and separated from His Father, and the thought that it was my sin that put Him there.
But just as David found peace and freedom in seeking forgiveness for his sins, I know that it is because of Christ's sacrifice we can now have salvation, and can look forward to eternal life in Heaven with the Lord.
"Jesus' death was undeserved. But as He hung on the cross, he looked beyond the pain to God's bigger story of salvation, and for this He gave His life." (The Story) 3
"This is the GOOD NEWS. When the Romans nailed Jesus to the cross, they stretched His arms as wide as they could. With His arms wide open, Jesus was physically demonstrating, `I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH! I love you so much it hurts! I'd rather die than live without you! The next time you see a picture or a statue of Jesus with outstretched arms on the cross, remember He is saying, `I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH!" Rick Warren 4
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but will have everlasting life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3: 16 &17
4. Have you found peace, freedom and joy in seeking God's forgiveness and salvation? If so share your story with someone. If you haven't, and want to know how, I would love to help you.
CONCLUSION
Psalm 22:27-31
David concluded this Messianic Psalm as He always did with words of confidence and praise, in a coming King and Lord, that one day all people would one day worship and serve.
It was confirmed again to me this week that the Lord wants me to continue to tell others about this message of salvation. Whether it be as a teacher, speaker, as a writer or simply by living a life of serving others - that I'm not sure. But one thing I do know, that while I still have the strength, and He gives me the opportunities, I will remain faithful.
1. "Lectures to My Students" (1860) Charles H Spurgeon, Sheldon, New York.
2. "And the Angels were Silent" (1987) Max Lucado, W Publishing Group.
3. "The Story" - Selections from the NIV (1969) Max Lucado & Randy Frazee, Hodder & Stoughton
4. "The Purpose of Christmas" - (2008) Rick Warren, Howard Books
Max Lucado Devotional Bible, New Century Version (1987), Thomas Nelson
The Evidence Bible, King James Version (2003) Ray Comfort, Bridge-Logos
Holy Bible, New Living Translation (1996), Tyndale House Publishers
