Revelation of Christ! #
Psalm 22
Introduction
The unveiling of Christ in Psalm 22. As we read this Psalm now, knowing the NT, the Life of Jesus Christ, his death on the cross of Calvary, it is hard for us NOT to see Jesus prophesied in this Psalm. However, if you had read this prior to Jesus Death, you probably would NOT have associated it with the Messiah that was to come. You may have viewed it as a persecuted saint feeling abandoned, and attacked, and finally alleviated.
These next three Psalms go together very well. Psalm 22 shows Christ in the Past, 23 Christ in the Present, 24 Christ in the future! 22 Christ as the sacrificial Lamb, 23 Christ as the Great Shepherd, 24 Christ as the Chief Shepherd.
I. Christ the Rejected (1-10) Abhorred #
A. Horror of sin (1) #
- On the cross of Calvary, Jesus cries out:
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
1. Sin is destructive! #
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)
- It is bad enough for one to bear his own sin, his own wrong doing, but in this instance, Jesus is taking the sin of the world upon His shoulders!
- He didn’t die for His own sin!
2. Jesus clings to God, “My God, my God” #
B. Hearest not (2) (Lu 23:35-39) #
1. From man’s perspective, it would appear as though God had forsaken Jesus on the cross! #
2. From man’s perspective it would appear as though God had not answered Jesus prayer on the cross! #
C. Helpless (4-6, 8-10) #
D. Held in derision (7) – Jesus was mocked! #
II. Christ the Renounced (11-21) Afflicted #
A. Surrounded by enemy! (11-13) #
1. Disciples forsook him #
“But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.” (Matthew 26:56)
- When betrayed, Jesus had no one! – Prophesied
“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.” (Zechariah 13:7)
B. Sorrow! (14) #
- Jesus was certainly broken hearted on the cross of Calvary!
C. Spent (15) #
“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.” (John 19:28)
D. Stabbing (16) #
“And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.” (John 19:37)
E. Staring (17) #
“And sitting down they watched him there;” (Matthew 27:36)
F. Seizing of his clothes (18) #
“And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.” (Mark 15:24)
III. Christ the Resurrected (22-31) Alive #
A. Praised in the congregation (22-25) #
B. Praise of the saved (26) #
1. Satisfied – meek see the Saviour, and are satisfied with His payment for them! #
- Meek – humble, submissive to divine will,
2. Saved “your heart shall live forever” #
C. Propagation (27) #
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19–20)
D. Prophetic (27-28) #
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)