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LOOK AT THE CROSS (Psalm 22)

We are now entering a section of the book of Psalms that I think is unique: Psalms 22-24. I believe all three of them correspond to one another.

For example, in Psalm 22 we are led to a mountain called Calvary. Psalm 23 takes us into the valley of the shadow of death, but Psalm 24 goes to Mount Zion, on the other side. Do you see this beautiful object lesson? Between any two mountains there will be a valley, and you go through that valley to the other side.

In these passages we are moving from the Cross to the Resurrection, from the battle to the ultimate victory. Not only that, but they give us a beautiful picture of the Lord as our Shepherd.

If I asked you which psalm depicts Him as shepherd, you would immediately say Psalm 23. But all three psalms give a picture of a shepherd.

Psalm 22 shows us the Good Shepherd. The Bible says in John 10:11, “The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” That is what He does in Psalm 22 as well.

He is the Great Shepherd in Psalm 23, leading us “in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” In Psalm 24, He is the Chief Shepherd coming in glory.

As the Good Shepherd, He deals with sin’s penalty. As the Great Shepherd, He releases us from sin’s power. As the Chief Shepherd, He will one day deliver us from sin’s presence. What a wonderful Savior we have.

With that in mind, now we will look more closely at Psalm 22. One thousand years before Jesus cried from the cross, these very cries were recorded prophetically in this passage. How is that possible? It is because our God is now bound up in time; He fills up all of eternity. He is the first and the last.

We do not know when in David’s life this was written. Perhaps that in itself is significant because it is not so much about David’s life as it is about Christ’s life.

Verse 1: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?”

Immediately the reader is transported to Golgotha. Do you hear Jesus crying from the cross? It is midnight in the middle of the day as God the Father turns His back on His own Son, and that cry pierces those shadows.

On this side of Calvary, we know the answer to the question posed in this verse. Christ became sin for us. According to II Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

• He was forsaken so you would never have to be forsaken.
• He took your death so you could take His life.
• He took your darkness so you could take His light.
• He took your sin so you could take His salvation.
• He took your Hell so you could take His Heaven.

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Understand this, on the authority of the Word of God - no believer will ever have to utter those words. As Hebrews 13:5 states, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Christ was forsaken by the Father for our sin so we could be reconciled to God, never to be separated from Him again.

Do you see how Psalm 22 leads you to Christ? Look at Christ!

This is a lengthy psalm but there are similar statements throughout. Verses 7-8: “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.”

Isn’t that exactly what the mob and the religious rulers cried at the foot of the cross? They mocked Him and jeered at Him.

Verses 9-10: “But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.”

This is a beautiful picture of the virgin birth of Christ, coming into the world according to the Father’s divine purpose.

Do you want to know what was on His mind on the cross? Remember, Mary was present at the crucifixion and Jesus took a moment to direct John to care for her. I believe that when He saw her that day, He was thinking about how this was the very reason for which He was born.

We must not talk about the baby and neglect the suffering Savior. Psalm 22 connects Bethlehem and Calvary, the manger and the cross. This is why He came, to be a ransom for our sin — “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Verse 12-13: “Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.”

Doesn’t this look like the cross? All of the people mocking him from the foot of the cross sounded like bulls or roaring lions.

There is an interesting reference to “strong bulls of Bashan.” Bashan was a very fertile area where large cattle were raised to be fierce and strong. In other words, the strength of man, the strength of sin, and the strength of Hell came against Christ and surrounded Him at the cross.

Now would be a great time to stop for a moment and just thank Jesus for what He did at the cross. He was our substitute; He took our place.

Verse 14: “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; It is melted in the midst of my bowels.”

We know that while not one bone of His was broken, every one of His bones were out of joint from hanging on that cross. They thrust the spear into His side and saw blood and water come out. He died of a broken heart.

Verse 15: “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And thou hast brought me into the dust of death.” This brings to mind when He cried out because of His thirst.

Verse 16: “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.” He was pierced for me and for you.

Verse 17: “I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.” This is another image of Christ being crucified.

Verse 18: “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” That is exactly what the soldiers did at the foot of the cross.

But I have good news for you: Psalm 22 does not end at Calvary. Look at verses 22-23:

“I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.”

There is a definite change in tone and theme here. Why? Because the cross was not the end. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” the transaction was complete, but He was just beginning.

Let me challenge you to read Psalm 22 today on your knees. Find a quiet place and read it aloud. Pray through it. Take some time today to thank God for Jesus.

If you have never received Christ as your Savior, call on Him now. If you do know Him, thank Him today for being your Savior.