The Crucifixion In Psalm 22 Series

This Psalm is one of the most amazing Messianic Psalms. This is a Psalm of David, and yet (like most prophetic writings) the words move beyond the immediate meaning and refer to something grander yet future – in this case, the sufferings of Jesus upon the cross.

This Psalm is a detailed description of the crucifixion:

I. THE PURPOSE OF HIS CRUCIFIXION

• Revealed in his question (v. 1).

A. This could not mean that Jesus was unsure of why this was taking place.

1. Many times Jesus predicted His coming death.

2. Jesus only hours before had explained to his disciples the purpose of his death: “to bear the sins of many.”

B. This must be understood in the same way we understand any of God’s questions:

1. Where art thou Adam? – for Adam’s sake.

2. What doest thou here Elijah? – for Elijah.

3. Doest thou well to be angry? – for Jonah.

4. He asked it for man’s sake – that we would seek to find out why the Father would indeed forsake delivering His Son from the wicked intentions of His enemies.

• forsaken = so far from helping me.

C. This shows the serious nature of sin/holiness of God:

1. God could not just ‘overlook sin.’

2. It is such that required God to actually punish His Son with an awful death.

3. God poured out His wrath (of our sin) upon Christ – 2 Cor 5:21 “made him to be sin...”

II. HIS REJECTION BY MAN (v. 6-8)

A. The Saviour was rejected by all

1. He had no multitudes rallying for His release (like many criminals do).

2. Even His disciples forsook Him.

3. (v. 12) The gathering of the chief religious leaders was likened to a herd of bulls surrounding Him.

4. (v. 16) As a wild pack of dogs compass its victim. Dogs = Gentiles (Roman soldiers).

B. Every hates to feel rejected.

1. One of the most difficult things to handle.

2. Mocking at a time of such suffering makes this almost non-human but Satanic in origin.

• They showed no mercy whatsoever – (v. 13) gaped (opened) their mouths like roaring lion – hurling insults & blasphemy.

C. Many times we suffer feelings of rejection. It's good to know that:

1. Even the perfect Son of God went through that.

2. If we are saved, He never rejects us.

III. PHYSICAL AGONY

A. Poured out like water (v. 14a) – the physical exhaustion leading to a resigning of the spirit (heart).

1. Not mere crucifixion but up all night, whipping, blood-loss, thorns, carrying the cross & finally crucifixion.

2. Strength dried up (v. 15) – when pottery is heated in a furnace all moisture is taken out. All physical strength had been taken from Him.

3. Tongue cleaveth (v. 15) – his great thirst (“I thirst”)

a) Sweating began in a garden.

b) Loss of blood.

c) Emotional stress causes dry mouth.

B. Bones are out of joint (v. 14a)

• Either literally through the torture of crucifixion or the sense of it through the complete physical exhaustion.

C. Piercing of hands & feet (v. 16b)

1. Obviously cannot be applied to David.

2. Shows the preciseness of the prophecy. Long before crucifixion was invented as a means of torture & death by the Romans.

IV. HIS HUMILIATION

A. Tell (declare) all my bones (v. 17a)

1. Referring to the fact he was stripped of his garments – and probably left with just a small loin cloth.

2. Also referring to his stretched-out posture.

B. They look and stare upon me – sitting down they watched him there.

1. The humiliation of being made a public spectacle. Bad enough to die this way, but publicly?

2. As people stare at a car accident, etc.

V. THE INDIFFERENCE OF MEN

A. Part garments ... cast lot for vesture (v. 18)

1. The incredible detail.

2. The cold indifference these soldiers had to a dying man – all they were concerned about was materialism.

3. A picture of the vast majority of our world even today?

As we read this we ought to love Him so much more as we think that He went through all of this for us. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief…But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3, 5)