The Gospel in the Old TestamentSample

Of all the chapters of prophecy in the Old Testament, Psalm 22 is probably my favorite. It contains several different verses of prophecy specifically referring to the Cross.

As David wrote this chapter, he was undoubtedly facing a difficult time. He felt that he was in an impossible situation, and he felt as though the Lord had left him. David’s faith is really something to admire, as he ends the Psalm by praising God. David knew better than to trust his emotions because God was still with him even in the darkest days.

This chapter also contains a lot of Messianic prophecy, starting with verse 1 where David asks, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” This is a phrase that Jesus would repeat from the Cross.

Verses 7 and 8 state, “Everyone who sees me mocks me; they sneer and shake their heads: ‘He relies on the Lord, let Him rescue him; let the Lord deliver him since He takes pleasure in him.’”

In Matthew 27:42-43, the people of Jesus’ day unwittingly fulfilled this promise as they said, “He has put His trust in God; let God rescue Him now—if He wants Him! For He said, ‘I am God’s Son.’”

Verse 18 says, “They divided my garments among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing.” Again, Jesus’ enemies would fulfill this prophecy in Matthew 27:35.

Perhaps the most incredible verse is verse 16. David says, “For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has enclosed in on me; they pierced my hands and feet.” David gives a pretty specific reference to crucifixion.

It is worth noting, however, that David never saw a crucifixion. He lived about 1,000 years before Christ. Crucifixion would not be used until centuries later. Crucifixion was specifically invented by the Roman Empire as a way to torture a person to the maximum amount for hours, bringing them up to the point of death without actually killing them. So David was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this, having never seen it for himself.

All this brings one overarching theme to mind: the Cross was always God’s Plan. He was in control of the whole situation, and in fact He told us in advance what would happen. God had a Plan to make Salvation possible for us, and He simply carried out the Plan He had already put in place. At the time of Jesus’ Death, the disciples could not understand what was happening, and the religious leaders thought they were in control of the situation. The whole time, they were all simply fulfilling God’s Plan.

You are also part of God’s Plan. Trust in the One who knows all things past, present, and future. Nothing takes Him by surprise!