We are going to be floating around with these prophecies and basically cover the ones from Psalm 22, in no specific order.
- David would also prophesy His physical abuse,
Prophesied: PSA 22:1-21
Fulfilled: MAT 27:26
- David prophesied that His hands and His feet would be pierced.
Prophesied: PSA 22:16
Fulfilled: MAR 15:25, JOH 20:25-27
- The parting of His garments was also prophesied by David.
Prophesied: PSA 22:18
Fulfilled: JOH 19:24
- David also prophesied that many would be watching Jesus during the crucifixion.
Prophesied: PSA 22:17
Fulfilled: MAT 27:36, LUK 23:48
- The words of His enemies were prophesied by David.
Prophesied: PSA 22:8
Fulfilled: MAT 27:43-44
- David prophesied the thoughts of Jesus at the height of His suffering.
Prophesied: PSA 22:1
Fulfilled: MAT 27:46
- David also prophesied our Lord’s last words on the cross.
Prophesied: PSA 22:31
Fulfilled: JOH 19:30
A few things to keep in mind with all of this information we have in this study is FAITH-REST DRILL
FAITH-REST DRILL
The faith-rest drill is one of the ten problem solving devices of the predesigned plan of God for the Church.
There are three categories related to the faith-rest drill:
- Claiming God’s promises
(faith mechanics),
- Applying a doctrinal rationale to support the promise (faith functions),
- resting in the Lord by leaving the problem in the Supreme Court of Heaven (faith execution).
The faith-rest drill is that problem solving device used by believers in all dispensations for carrying and using the shield of faith.
And we are going to take a look at a few invisible heroes who operated in the faith-rest drill and also had a relaxed mental attitude which we may refer to as FRD, and RMA.
Let’s briefly take a look at the seventh principle of war, which comes from my dad’s book The Christian Soldier, The ART OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE, The Art of War book, written by our’s truly Pastor Robert McLaughlin, this man is a genius I tell ya!
The 7th is the principle of war is: SECURITY.
Security is defined in military science and tactics as all measures which are taken to guard against observations, surprise, and hostile interference with effective maneuver.
Security is designed to gain and maintain the power of freedom of action, or volitional freedom.
The analogy for us not only includes eternal security for every believer at salvation, but also emphasizes the fantastic problem solving devices.
Our security from satanic opposition and spiritual warfare is given in such passages as Isa 54:17 "No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the
heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me," declares the Lord.
Pro 21:31 "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord."
Exo 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent."
And then we have our good ole brother Job in Job 5:19-27.
This passage Job 5:19-27 deals with the principle of divine security in time and divine security in dying.
Job 5:19-20, "From six troubles He will deliver you [Six being the number of man and representing man and all that mankind tries to do against you, even in seven evil will not touch you]. In famine or economic disaster He will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword.
In verse 21, four disasters are listed as illustration: Depression, warfare, sins of the tongue, and dying.
Job 5:21 You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue [social disaster].
The New English Bible says: Job 5:21 You will be shielded from the lash of slander. neither will you be afraid of violence when it comes.
Now verse 22 reduces the disasters to two: Economic disaster and dying.
Job 5:22 "you will laugh at violence or death, neither will you be afraid of wild beasts."
This refers to having a relaxed mental attitude in time of disaster.
And if you pay attention to this verse, Job 5:22, you will notice how crafty - satan and the kod truly are… something we will see very soon… In Psalm 22:21.
So the Wild beasts, in Job 5:22, refers to men who live in selfish ambition and inordinate competition and act like animals to get ahead in life.
Wild beasts were also instruments of violent death in the ancient world, just as drugs and automobiles are today.
Remember that the believer cannot be removed from
life apart from the sovereignty of God.
The principle is that - Until God makes the decision,
nothing will remove the believer from this life.
Then once the decision is made, nothing will keep him here.
So in verse 23, no instrument of violent death can remove the believer until the sovereignty of God permits.
No believer can be removed by death until God is
ready to take himher home.
But once God in His sovereignty calls the believer home, nothing will retain them on this earth.
Death is the decision of the sovereignty of God. Therefore, the believer has no right to question the decision and wisdom of God with regard to loved
ones.
We have the right to mourn, but we have no right to bitterness or antagonism toward God.
It is His decision, His judgment call, and His wisdom.
Job 5:23 "for you will be in league with the stones of the field;"And the beasts of the field will be at peace with you.
This means that you will be at peace with the weapons of this world.
Job 5:24 "And you will know that your tent human body is secure, for you will visit your abode your final home with no loss.
Keep in mind that Death does not terminate escrow blessings for the winner and the spiritual champion.
Job 5:25 You will also know that your descendants or seed will be many or prosperous and your offspring as the grass of the earth."
In verse 25, In Job 5:25 "descendants" or "seed" is not a reference to procreation, but to blessing by association with the invisible hero. Abraham for example.
When one dies, the spiritual champion or invisible hero
knows that personal blessing will continue to be extended to all his loved ones and friends. We will see this in HEB 11.
So The impact of the spiritual champion exists not only in one’s living phase of the Pre- designed Plan of God, but in the dying phase and in death.
Job 5:26 "You will come to the grave in full vigor or full age, like the stacking of grain or corn in its season."
Here is an important principle and it is very applicable to our Lords crucifixion prophesies, including and especially the time, place, and manner:
Because God's wisdom and decisions are perfect, we must accept God's decision in the time, place, and manner of the death of someone we love, or in our own death.
God is the expert and He knows best when and how we should die.
Since God knows best, no one should ever question His judgment.
This should also eliminate bitterness with regard to your own death or that of a loved one.
Bitterness is tantamount to blasphemy.
While we think of life in terms of longevity, God thinks of life in terms of His wisdom, love, integrity, and grace.
In verse 26, In Job 5:26, "full vigor or full age" doesn't mean you live a long life, but that you will die at the right time.
God is perfect; therefore, His timing is perfect.
In all matters of life and death, timing is important, as noted by this illustration.
The illustration of corn is taken from the agriculture of the ancient world.
There is a right time and a wrong time to harvest and shuck the corn.
Only the expert can determine that right time.
God is the expert.
Therefore, God decides when it is time for us to die, where we shall die, and how we shall die.
Just as He did with His own Son.
These are somethings that we need to keep in mind while studying these many painful suffering prophesies of our Lord’s death…
All corn does not ripen at the same time.
But when corn is ripe and is harvested and separated from its sheath, it is a perfect illustration of our dying.
Likewise, we are separated from our physical body through physical death.
Job 5:27 "Behold this, we have investigated it, thus it is: hear it, and know it for yourself."
Now we move onto our prophesies, beginning with #8 and we will see this prophesy through the first half of Psalm 22.
- David would also prophesy His physical abuse,
Prophesied: PSA 22:1-21
Fulfilled: MAT 27:26
This psalm of David should be understood in association with Psalms 23 and 24.
Psalm 22 describes the sufferings of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, for His sheep.
Psalm 23 describes His care for His sheep.
Psalm 24 describes His return in glory to reward His sheep.
Psalm 22 includes prophetic sayings which Jesus uttered from the cross.
It also predicts the afflictions he endured there (Matthew 27:27–56; Luke 22:63–65; 23:18–49).
Isaiah 53, which we already looked at in some detail, also prophesies the sufferings that Jesus suffered on the cross.
PSA 22:1 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?
Far from my help are the words of my groaning.
PSA 22:2 My God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer;
And by night, but I have no rest.
PSA 22:3 Yet You are holy,
You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
PSA 22:4 In You our fathers trusted;
They trusted and You rescued them.
PSA 22:5 To You they cried out and they fled to safety;
In You they trusted and were not disappointed.
PSA 22:6 But I am a worm and not a person,
A disgrace of mankind and despised by the people.
PSA 22:7 All who see me deride me;
They sneer, they shake their heads, saying,
PSA 22:8 “Turn him over to the Lord; let Him save him;
Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”
PSA 22:9 Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb;
You made me trust when upon my mother’s breasts.
PSA 22:10 I was cast upon You from birth;
You have been my God from my mother’s womb.
PSA 22:11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near;
For there is no one to help.
PSA 22:12 Many bulls have surrounded me;
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.
PSA 22:13 They open their mouths wide at me,
As a ravening and roaring lion.
PSA 22:14 I am poured out like water,
And all my bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It is melted within me.
PSA 22:15 My strength is dried up like a piece of pottery,
And my tongue clings to my jaws;
And You lay me in the dust of death.
PSA 22:16 For dogs have surrounded me;
A band of evildoers has encompassed me;
They pierced my hands and my feet.
PSA 22:17 I can count all my bones.
They look, they stare at me;
PSA 22:18 They divide my garments among them,
And they cast lots for my clothing.
PSA 22:19 But You, Lord, do not be far away;
You who are my help, hurry to my assistance.
PSA 22:20 Save my soul from the sword,
My only life from the power of the dog.
PSA 22:21 Save me from the lion’s mouth;
From the horns of the wild oxen You answer me.
Both Psalm 22 and Jesus' suffering on the cross ended with an expression of accomplishment and finality (Psalm 22:31; John 19:30).
Psalm 22:1–21, what we just read, depicts David's questioning of God's silence and estrangement from him in his desperate situation.
The structure of this Psalm, and the images it evokes, are prophecies of the Messiah's sufferings.
As we saw recently, Isaiah 53 likewise predicts these experiences and explains the Messiah endured them for us sinners.
In no special order we move onto our 22nd prophecy in our study of the 29 prophecies & fulfillments.
- David prophesied the thoughts of Jesus at the height of His suffering.
Prophesied: PSA 22:1
Fulfilled: MAT 27:46
While suffering on the cross Jesus said MAT 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'ELI, ELI, LEMA SABAKTANEI?' that is, 'MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?'"
PSA 22:1 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my help are the words of my groaning.
Some Psalms, such as Psalm 3, can be connected to specific events in the life of David.
We want to point out that Psalm 22 does not match any exact incident in David's history.
The language used here is more like an execution than a time of trouble.
It seems David uses those figures of speech to highlight how troubled he is, --- which also implies this portion of Scripture is prophetic.
The suffering depicted here closely matches that of Jesus during His crucifixion.
The choice of Psalm 22 is interesting because of its focus on “undeserved suffering”.
Both David in Psalm 22:22 and Christ in Matthew 27:46 made this same connection, as well as later writers such as Hebrews 2:12.
HEB 2:12 "saying, 'I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BROTHERS, IN THE MIDST OF THE ASSEMBLY I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.'"
The citation given here, in Hebrews, is from Psalm 22:22, where David resolves to praise God even though he has not yet been rescued.
David feels abandoned, or forsaken, by the Lord, but he still acknowledges that the Lord is his God.
So we may not know what circumstances caused David to feel this way, but we do know Jesus spoke these same words from the cross. (Matthew 27:46)
We also do know why the Father did not rescue Jesus by taking Him off the cross, -- John 1:29 tells us - it was because He had sent Jesus into the world as His Lamb to take away the sin of the world.
When Jesus died on the cross, God "made him to be sin" for us, 2 Corinthians 5:2, and a curse, Galatians 3:13. We will see more on the curse.
Rather than rescue Jesus "from" death, God rescued Him "out of" death (Psalm 22:24).
Habakkuk 1:13 tells us that Because God is "of purer eyes than to see evil" (HAB 1:13), He looked away from His Son when His Son was bearing our sin on the cross.
Many feel the only answer to Jesus' question, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" is this: God forsook Jesus at the Cross so He would not have to forsake us eternally.
Because of this, we can live forever in the constant presence of God.
At the same time, as part of the Trinity, Jesus can never be entirely separated from God.
And we know from our studies with our Pastor-teacher, my dad Pastor Robert McLaughlin that the Holy Spirit never forsook Jesus on the cross.
This was actually a teaching that my dad later correcting because I believe in his early John series, from 1987, my dad mentions that the Holy Spirit forsook Jesus on the cross, however years later he corrected that.
So, I can confidently tell you that the Holy Spirit never forsook our Lord on the cross, only God the Father forsook Him.
What our Lord did have was two special powers that you and I share in as Church-Age Believers, if we take advantage of the spiritual life that is, and those Two Power Options our Lord had on the Cross was God the Holy Spirit and Bible Doctrine in His soul.
Another explanation for Jesus' use of these words is the method of naming Scriptures used in Jewish tradition.
Books or other writings were often known by their starting words or phrases. We are going to see some more of this illustrated in our Psalm 22 passage.
Reciting the first statement of this Psalm might have been Jesus pointing to this passage as both encouragement and explanation during His crucifixion.
The descriptions in Psalm 22 indicate a painful execution—something David did not suffer.
This implies that the terminology used here is symbolic of David's feelings.
---At the same time, it serves as a prophetic explanation of what would happen to the Promised One.
These events would be fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus, and He will reference this text from the cross in Matthew 27:46.
MAT 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'ELI, ELI, LEMA SABAKTANEI?' that is, 'MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?'"
Psalm 22 opens with the same statement implying pain and suffering, commonly expressed by those who are actually suffering.
In essence, this is the cry of someone asking, "Where are you, God?"
That's a natural reaction to hardship, seen elsewhere in Scripture, Habakkuk 1:2–4, for example.
As in other places in Scripture, the eventual answer is always proven to be the same: God is there, --- and He is in control --- and there is hope (PSA 22:1-2); therefore we can have RMA…
Because David operates with a RMA, using Faith-Rest, he immediately shifts to an expression of confidence in the Lord.
The Bible defines faith as a trust based on experience.
Hebrews chapter 11, for instance, notes that God's work in the lives of others is the basis of our trust in His promises, HEB 11:13–16.
Hebrews 11:4 -16 gives examples of figures from the Old Testament who had RMA and demonstrated faith-rest in God and were blessed as a result.
Persons such as Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah are commended for their trust in God's promises.
These are invisible heroes who heard from God, obeyed God, and were blessed by God, and in many cases their loved ones where even blessed by association…including us, CAB.
While their actions are important, the common theme was Obedience to God when fulfillment of His promises seems distant.
Let’s look at Hebrews 11:13-16.
HEB 11:13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
HEB 11:14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
HEB 11:15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return.
HEB 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
Again this passage is referring to some of the Old Testament figures who exemplified faith in God, FRD, RMA.
Names such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah were referenced.
Verse 13 ties together the reason for including these various stories.
In this case, the point is that each of these people had a faith that "looked forward."
Despite not having a crystal-clear view of the future, they chose to trust in God and obey, HEB 11:1-2. They chose to have positive volition.
In some cases, such as Abraham and Sarah, they did not even live to see the promises fulfilled.
And yet, their perspective was eternal, rather than temporary.
These were men and women "looking forward" to God's ultimate plans, in HEB 11:10. Many were in some of the worst situations of their lives…
HEB 11:10 "for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
Hebrews 11:13 points out the depth of this perspective.
For those who truly trust in God, life on earth is merely a temporary journey.
Our pastor often refers to the idea that this life, and this earth, is not our real home.
Instead, as the book of Hebrews indicates, we are "strangers and exiles on the earth."
This is the kind of faith which allows us to trust God despite personal abuse, as did Abel in HEB 11:4.
HEB 11:4 "By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks."
Verse 7 of Hebrews 11 teaches us that we can even obey difficult and confusing commands, as did Noah.
HEB 11:7 "By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith."
When we have a RMA, we can trust God to make good on His word, even when it seems as if He's waited too long, as did Abraham and Sarah in HEB 11:8–12.
HEB 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going.
HEB 11:9 By faith he lived as a stranger in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;
HEB 11:10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
HEB 11:11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.
HEB 11:12 Therefore even from one man, and one who was as good as dead at that, there were born descendants who were just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.
These Invisible Heroes, accepted God's promises and "greeted them from afar," from that perspective.
According to the Word of God, Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith in God is a matter of trust.
This is the kind of faith the Word of God inspires us to have.
Then we see it again in Hebrews 11:14:
Trust in God is reflected in our willingness to obey Him despite not having a perfect understanding of His plans.
These examples for us like Noah and Abraham had to “choose” obedience before they had a full understanding of how God would make good on His word.
They used that word “volition” and they had positive volition…, they claimed God’s promises and had RMA.
In some cases, such as Abraham and Sarah, they did not even live to see the complete fulfillment of those predictions.
And yet, they had faith in God, because Their faith was "looking forward," understanding that God's ultimate purpose for them was eternal, not earthly (HEB 11:10).
This point is emphasized in the next verse, Hebrews 11:15, by noting that, if figures like Abraham were merely looking for an earthly home, they could always have gone back to where they started in Genesis 12:1–4.
And yet, they did not.
They saw themselves as citizens of heaven—"strangers and exiles on this earth" (HEB 11:13)—and were willing to trust God's ability to bring about His promises out of things unseen (HEB 11:1–3).
Those with a trusting, forward-looking faith are said to be "seeking a homeland."
Instead of relying on this earth as our ultimate end, believers in TLJC can be confident that God's ability to work all things for good extends into eternity.
In short, faith in God includes a recognition that this life is not all there is, and that what happens in our time on earth is only a temporary step towards what God has in store for us for all of eternity.
And that is a very very very long time, I have a hard time even thinking about that word because it is literally endless, so you can find yourself trying to find an end, but when it comes to eternity, you will not!!!
Hebrews 11:15 makes a common-sense point to support this idea.
HEB 11:15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return.
They understood that God's ultimate plan for them reached into “eternity”.
Verse 16 of Hebrews 11, puts a very direct point on this teaching: Faith in God gives us a heavenly, eternal perspective, rather than a limited physical one.
This gives us confidence to "hold fast" despite temporary setbacks or hardships.
HEB 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 11:10 referred to Abraham looking forward to "a city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God".
Old Testament prophets such as Isaiah and Ezekiel recorded visions of a heavenly city.
And The book of Revelation also mentions the city of New Jerusalem, in particular it’s amazing foundations, REV 21:9-14.
This is the real goal, and the real purpose, of the faith held by men like David and Abraham and women like Sarah.
They realize that God's promises are not necessarily tied to some physical, earthly benefit.
Instead, God is working all things for good from a heavenly, eternal plan (Romans 8:28).
The writer sums up his point using the word "therefore."
Mere obedience is not enough; a person must have faith in God in order to please Him.
Since these listed figures held that kind of trust in God, God was not ashamed of them. And pastor wants me to let you in on a little secret: They all failed at times!!!
It was their faith, leading to obedience, not the actions themselves, which made them acceptable to God.
Going back to our prophesy passage Psalm 22, -- like those mentioned in Hebrews 11, David is confident that God is still in control even in what seems like a hopeless moment (Psalm 22:3–5).
After expressing confidence, David then returns to describe the depths of his pain.
This includes phrasing comparing the attacks of his enemies to those of dogs, lions, and wild oxen. (Pastor wants me to highlight that there is a significance between dogs and Pharisees.)
The suffering one is depicted as emaciated, naked, humiliated, mocked, and battered.
Despite skeptical claims, the most reliable manuscripts of these verses: PSA 22:6 -21 make it clear that this person is "pierced," further supporting this as a messianic prophecy.
These final verses of Psalm 22 are also prophetic.
Psalm 22 looks ahead to the time when Christ will reign over the earth and all Israel will be reconciled to God according to Psalm 22:22–31.
This brings us to our 25th prophecy which is interesting to note that Jesus referred to the first words of this psalm during the crucifixion in Matthew 27:46 and also echoed the last words of this psalm at the moment of His death.
- David also prophesied our Lord’s last words on the cross.
Prophesied: PSA 22:31
Fulfilled: JOH 19:30
Psalm 22:31 "They will come and will declare His righteousness To a people who will be born, that He has performed it."
In this verse David foretells that a generation will proclaim the Lord's righteousness to a people yet unborn.
The preceding generation (us, you and I) will declare that the Lord has done it; that is, provided salvation.
A thousand years after the life of David, the Messiah Jesus died on the cross to provide salvation by shedding His blood for us.
Jesus uttered the first words of this psalm from the cross (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46).
Christ's final words from the cross were similar to the last words of this same passage: "he has done it."
At the moment of death, Jesus cried out, "It is finished", in John 19:30.
The Greek word for "it is finished" is tetelestai, which implies something has been completed, paid, fulfilled, or reconciled.
In the first century when a painter put the final brush stroke on a canvas and was satisfied with what he saw, he might say "Tetelestai!"
His painting was complete.
Nothing needed to be added to it.
Tetelestai was written on a loan when the last payment was made.
Jesus' declaration of "Tetelestai!" means "nothing needs to be added to what I have done. Paid in full!"
Salvation, then, is NOT a matter of what anyone can do to earn salvation, but a matter of what Jesus has already done.
Moving along here to #17:
- David also prophesied that many would be watching Jesus during the crucifixion.
Prophesied: PSA 22:17
Fulfilled: MAT 27:36, LUK 23:48
MAT 27:36 "And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there."
The fact that the soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross are assigned to "keep watch" is not an unusual part of the crucifixion process.
In fact, this is a necessary aspect of crucifixion.
This method of execution was meant to stretch an agonizing death over a long period of time.
Crucifixion nails were applied to deliberately avoid major blood vessels, so the victim would suffer filthy, bleeding wounds, but not a quick death.
A person taken off the cross not long after being nailed could survive if they were able to fight off infection.
This meant that a crucified person, left unattended, could possibly be rescued by friends or family.
Matthew adds this detail to counter those who might question the validity of Jesus' death or resurrection. Which is also the purpose of our study, because we should always be prepared to defend the hope that lies within us.
The suggestion that Jesus did not actually die, but was taken down and later appeared, cannot withstand reason.
He was under watchful guard all the way through to His final breath.
He was never alone or unattended while still alive.
John, who was very close to the cross at the moment of Jesus' death (JOH 19:25–27), witnessed further details confirming this fact in John 19:31–37.
Psalm 22:17 "I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me;"
Keep in mind that -- this is not something which literally happened to David, these words symbolize his pain, instead.
The reference to "counting bones", in verse 17, depicts someone emaciated and stripped naked.
It’s another sad image – a jarring characteristic seen in photographs of concentration camp victims is the prominence of ribs, spine, and joints due to starvation.
That level of abuse comes with intense pain and weakness, as well as the shame of being exposed.
David's words in this verse, once again, apply to Jesus during His execution.
The suffering Jesus experienced on the cross was excruciating.
Especially when you consider the fact that -- He did not deserve to suffer, but He did so voluntarily as our substitute.
Yes, we deserve to die and bear the penalty of our sin.
Romans 6:23 announces that "the wages of sin is death."
However, 1CO 15:3 says clearly, "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures."
This is the first truth of the gospel message:
Christ died for our sins.
Then Galatians 1:4 points out that He voluntarily gave Himself for our sins.
He gave Himself "according to the will of our God and Father."
Jesus' death on the cross was an act of submission to the plan and purpose of God.
Remembering how Jesus died on the cross, the apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:19 that He shed His blood to redeem us.
We were just encouraged on how The value God place on our lives was equal to that of the very life of His "only begotten Son" (John 3:16).
In Galatians 3:13, the apostle Paul indicates He redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us by dying on the cross.
GAL 3:13 "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'—"
In fact, Paul spent the previous verses, in Galatians 3, arguing from the Old Testament Scriptures themselves that the law cannot save us.
The Judaizers are trying to convince the Christians in Galatia that they need to believe in Jesus, and in addition they need to continue to follow the law of Moses (Galatians 2:4).
Basically they are saying that we need to add to the completed work our Lord did at the Cross, all this stuff that we are covering.
From Deuteronomy, Habakkuk, and Leviticus, Paul has shown that to live by faith and to live under the law are not compatible. --- They cannot be merged.
So what are we to do?
Paul showed that Living under the law is to spend our days under the threat of being cursed by God for breaking the law.
Unfortunately, we all break it somehow, meaning that according to the law all men are doomed.
We are cursed.
But now in GAL 3:13, Paul turns to the answer and the focus of all of his teaching which is: Jesus Christ. – Not the mosaic law, but the new law. The law God promised to replace and He did.
Christ did for us what we could not do.
He redeemed us from the curse of the law.
The word "redeemed," from the Greek exēgorasen, specifically refers to buying someone out of slavery.
Jesus Christ did this for us by taking our curse on Himself.
Paul quotes from Deuteronomy: Everyone hanged on a tree is cursed, DEU 21:23.
Even the way Jesus was killed, hanging on a tree, was evidence that He had become cursed in our place.
Because none of us could follow the law without breaking it, all of us were cursed by it.
We were separated from God, NOT declared righteous by Him.
Then Christ stepped in and took our curse on Himself and paid the price, in full, of the curse, which is death and separation from God. --- Something we as Church-Age believers will never ever have to endure. --- We may have suffering but we will never ever be alone or separated from God!
That frees us from the law and creates the opportunity for us to be saved by faith.
This is the good news that we should all know and share…
Sometimes all we can do is plant the seed, because they have to be willing accept the work of our Lord on the cross, --- the work that He did “willingly” for us.
He turned that curse into a blessing for us because He chose to do so, and now each of us have a choice to accept or reject His work.
Volition is key here, although Jesus could have summoned more than twelve legions of angels to rescue Him from the cross as in accordance to Matthew 26:53, He chose to bear the agony of being a public spectacle on our behalf.
PSA 22:21 Save me from the lion’s mouth;
From the horns of the wild oxen You answer me.
David is rejoicing in the Lord for delivering him.
He first prays to be delivered from the mouth of the lion, but then says the Lord has rescued him from the horns of wild oxen.
Psalm 22 actually completes a pattern often seen in the Old Testament: chiasm, or a "mirror image."
And I’m going to show you this because it is actually very intriguing, as this entire book is so incredibly intriguing, but here is one verse and by the way let me first tell you that this is just one verse out of the 31,102 incredibly intriguing bible verses.
Something else I want to share when we were studying for this message together. My dad says that he has mentioned this principle to us before, but it really hit me between the eyes…
There are 23,145 verses in the Old Testament and 7,957 verses in the New Testament. That alone shows us how much lighter the load of the law, the mosaic law became…
23,145 verses in the Old Testament and 7,957 in the new gives a total of 31,102 verses.
So with knowing many of these 31K+ verses, have you ever noticed that Scripture often repeats itself in reverse, creating a mirror image?
This is known as a chiasm or Chiasmus.
Chiasms are a tool the Biblical authors used regularly. What is so cool about them is they have sense of repetition and we all know how important repetition is in the Word of God.
Here is an example of a Single Verse Chiasm:
GAL 2:16 nevertheless, knowing that a person is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
They come in two ways ABCBA or ABBA, this verse is ABCBA and it drives home the point:
- Not justified by works of the law
- Justified by faith in Jesus
- We have believed in Christ Jesus
- Justified by faith in Jesus
- Not justified by works of the law
GAL 2:16 nevertheless, knowing that a person is [A] not justified by works of the Law but through [B] faith in Christ Jesus, even [C] we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be [B] justified by faith in Christ and [A] not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law no flesh will be justified. There is more to this and maybe we will take a deeper look into them in a future study.
Here in Psalm 22, David compared his enemies to bulls (Psalm 22:12), lions (Psalm 22:13) and dogs (Psalm 22:16).
In verse 20-21 of Psalms 22 and the previous verse PSA 22:20-21 David reverses that order with “prayers” referring to dogs, lions, and bulls.
Again, all of this prophetically describes the suffering of Jesus during His crucifixion.
These words express not only David's gratitude to his personal God—but also Jesus' delight at being raised from the dead.
The Devil, a roaring lion, 1PE 5:8, was unable to defeat Jesus.
In fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 the old serpent, the Devil, would bruise Jesus the Messiah's heel, but Jesus the Messiah, "the seed" of the woman, would bruise the serpent's head.
David's deliverance from his foes came from the Lord who answered his prayer.
The deliverance was like that of being rescued from the horns of wild oxen.
Similarly, Jesus' crucifixion ended in a triumphant resurrection.
Hebrews 12:2 refers to Jesus as "the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
The agony of the Cross ended; the glory of resurrection and ascension followed.
Psalm 22:22–31 is the second part of the chiasm and focuses on David's praise to God, whereas the earlier passage focused on his prayer to God.
We find a similar contrast in chapters 27 and 28 of Matthew.
One records the awful death of Jesus, the other His amazing deliverance out of the grave. Hope you all see that.
Moving along to Psalm 22:16
- David prophesied that His hands and His feet would be pierced.
Prophesied: PSA 22:16
Fulfilled: MAR 15:25, JOH 20:25-27
In Mark 15:25 at the execution site, the cross bar is laid on the ground, and soldiers nail or tie the victim's wrists to the bar.
Psalm 22:16 and Isaiah 53:5 say Jesus is nailed.
In the original Greek, "crucify" is referred to as stauroo, which is the Greek root word for "stake" or "driving down stakes."
In Latin, however, "crucify" takes its origin from crux, or "cross." From crux comes cruciare, to cause extreme anguish, and the English "excruciating."
It's no exaggeration to say that the modern term for "the worst pain imaginable" is derived from this specific form of torture.
Psalm 22:16 "For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet."
This verse contains a phrase which is often contested by those who reject Psalm 22 as messianic prophecy.
The controversial phrase here is translated in the ESV as "they have pierced my hands and feet."
Critics claim the term translated "pierced" was originally the word for "lion," as these two are extremely similar in Hebrew.
That would make the translation "like a lion, at my hands and feet."
This would make the phrase much less suggestive of Roman crucifixion (John 19:16–18; 20:26–27; Luke 24:39–40).
It would also fit the pattern of someone being attacked by savage animals.
However, history and evidence do not support the replacement of "lion" for the term "pierced."
In the oldest known copies of Psalm 22, the term is clearly "pierced."
This is not only true of Jewish materials like the Dead Sea Scrolls, but also of the oldest Latin Vulgate and Arabic copies.
It is also translated as "pierced" in the Septuagint: a Jewish translation of Scripture into Greek, completed centuries before Christ.
That satan thinks he is so crafty, listen to this:
"Lion" occurs more often than "pierced" only in Masoretic texts produced a thousand years after Christ.
The devil is crafty, he is more crafty than anyone we have ever known… including ourselves and the McLaughlin – Medeiros crew are pretty crafty!
Literary and historical evidence strongly indicate "they have pierced my hands and feet" is the psalmist's intended message.
That, in combination with other Scripture, makes Psalm 22 an even more potent prophecy about the suffering of Jesus, the Messiah.
In the ancient middle east, dogs were almost always wild.
They were despised as unclean scavengers.
They roamed in packs, lived among garbage dumps, and attacked defenseless people when given the opportunity.
My dad has a study on the Pharisees relating to the dogs and how the Pharisees always used dogs…
Christ's enemies descended on Him at His crucifixion like packs of wild dogs that had smelled blood.
This statement, "they have pierced my hands and feet," graphically explains what the Roman soldiers did to Jesus at the crucifixion.
Like wild dogs that tear a victim's limbs apart, the soldiers tore Jesus' flesh apart by driving nails through His hands and feet.
We all know the story of “doubting Thomas”.
Following the resurrection, when the disciples thought He was a spirit, Jesus said, "See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.
Touch me, and see.
LUK 24:39-40 For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have". Then He showed them His hands and His feet.
John even tells us that The print of the nails are visible in His resurrection body, JOH 20:24-29.
David described this piercing about 1,000 years before Jesus was crucified and long before the Romans even practiced crucifixion.
This fact is a strong testimonial to the divine inspiration of Scripture and to the accuracy of prophecy.
Our 15th Prophecy:
- The parting of His garments was also prophesied by David.
Prophesied: PSA 22:18
Fulfilled: JOH 19:24
All of Jesus suffering is truly sad, but this one really hits the heart…
John 19:24, "So they said to one another, 'Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be.' This happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: 'THEY DIVIDED MY GARMENTS AMONG THEMSELVES, AND THEY CAST LOTS FOR MY CLOTHING.' Therefore the soldiers did these things."
Other gospels, including Luke 23:34, note that it was around this time when Jesus expressed forgiveness towards these men who crucified Him (LUK 23:34).
John, also known as one "whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23), has been brave enough to come close to the cross during this time (John 19:26).
He would have seen, first-hand, these soldiers shamelessly gambling for a dying man's clothes.
John notes how this resembles the words of Psalm 22:18, which depicts an innocent person suffering at the hands of His enemies.
Psalm 22:18 "They divide my garments among them, And they cast lots for my clothing."
This verse, as well, is a direct prediction of what happened when Jesus was killed.
Matthew 27:35 reports what the soldiers did when they crucified Jesus.
This verse tells us, MAT 27:35 "And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots."
By casting lots for Jesus' garments, the soldiers showed they attached a higher value to His clothing than they did to Him.
This disdainful act is recorded not only in Matthew's Gospel, but also in the other three Gospels (see Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; and John 19:23–24).
The practice of casting lots usually involved sticks or stones with markings or dice.
The sticks or stones or dice were thrown into an area and read to determine the winner.
The practice of rolling dice or flipping a coin is similar to the casting of lots in Bible times.
When the soldiers cast lots for Jesus' garments, they left Him, quite literally, with no possessions.
Truly, Jesus became poor so that we might become rich (Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9).
Finally #20
- The words of His enemies were prophesied by David.
Prophesied: PSA 22:8
Fulfilled: MAT 27:43-44.
MAT 27:43 He has trusted in God; let God rescue Him now, if He takes pleasure in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
MAT 27:44 And the rebels who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him in the same way.
We know that Jesus was mocked almost every which way, even the criminals on either side of Jesus—men at that very moment dying in terrible agony—mocked Him in the same way as the observers.
Luke shows one of these men later repented and acknowledged who Jesus was: "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong…Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (LUK 23:40-42). And Jesus did.
Psalm 22:8 "'Turn him over to the LORD; let Him save him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.'"
This statement is being spoken in sarcasm, by David's taunting opponents.
In a time where he feels abandoned by God (Psalm 22:1–2), part of his hardship is hearing others mock his pain (Psalm 22:6–7).
Enemies laugh at his trust, suggesting it was unfounded.
According to ungodly thinking, if David's trust in the Lord was valid, he would not be in this situation.
Their words are intended to be insulting.
All the same, these are part of a prophetic look at the experience of the Messiah (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1).
As He died on the cross Jesus encountered the same sarcastic accusation from the religious leaders.
They called out: "He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God'" (MAT 27:43).
The two robbers who were crucified with Jesus also mocked Jesus' trust in the Lord. Matthew 27:44 says they "also reviled him in the same way."
Of course, Jesus' heavenly Father delivered Him out of death by raising Him to life on the third day.
In his address to the Jews at Pentecost the apostle Peter proclaimed Jesus as having been delivered up for crucifixion by "the definite plan and foreknowledge of God" and raised up by God (Acts 2:23–24).
The ultimate conclusion of this psalm is that God will not eternally abandon those He loves (Psalm 22:22).