This is our second look at Psalm 22, the ‘Psalm of the Cross.’ Today we wish to focus our attention on the phrases in the psalm that point directly to Jesus upon the Cross. Mind, this was written by David some one thousand years before His Greater Son would be born and die. It was written out of some unnamed strenuous experience in David’s life, but it points prophetically and directly to the Savior.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (1) These very words passed the lips of Jesus Christ as He hung upon the cross. The Father forsook His Son for a period of three hours on that fateful day. Jesus had become sin for us, and God cannot look upon sin. This was our sin that He bore, so that we need not suffer for our own sin.
But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. (6) As people passed by the foot of the cross, they reproached the Son of Man. They mocked Him, and threw His words back at Him. It was as though He were the lowest form of life, a worm.
The pain, suffering and torture of a Roman crucifixion had brought Him to the state of a living skeleton (14-17). 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. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue clings to my jaws; and You have brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
What gruesome, picturesque language. Yet it was a true picture of the Son of God languishing on Calvary’s tree for the sins of the world.
The piercing of His hands and feet speak of the method of crucifixion—nailing a man to a wooden cross. Spikes were driven through each wrist, and another through his crossed ankles. As he hung upon the cross, the goal was that he would suffocate to death, each breath involving excruciating pain.
The bones being out of joint would have occurred when the cross, with our Savior upon it, was thrust into the ground by some soldiers. With only the nails to support His body on the cross, the action of this thrust would have caused many of the bones in His arms and legs to become disjointed. He would thus be able to see His very bones. He could count them. They would stare at Him in mockery. This was a joint-mockery with the throngs who, like dogs, pestered Him at every moment.
He had endured hours of torture since the previous evening’s arrest. Likely He had not been given a meal, and perhaps nothing to drink. He was greatly athirst. His lips were swollen to the point where He could hardly open His mouth.
His strength was almost gone under the heat of the noonday sun. He was on the verge of death physically. Emotionally, spiritually, His heart was broken—broken not for Himself, but for our sins, our lost condition.
Dear friend, Jesus died for you. He endured all of this suffering for your sin. He died in your place. He took your sin so that you could be made righteous in the sight of a holy God. What do you need to do? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved!