When Jesus was hanging on the cross, about to die for us, he called out, "My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?" I wonder if he "sang" it tot he tune of "Doe of the Dawn," or if simply saying the line would get everyone else around him thinking of this song.
Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted in You, and You rescued them. They cried out to You and were saved. They trusted in You and were never disgraced. (Psalms 22:3-5 NLT)
You see, Psalms were never intended to be written like we read them. They were intended to be sung,much like our worship songs, praise choruses, hymns, or responsorial psalms. Good Israelite boys and girls would have learned these songs in their upbringing. When Jesus made this statement, they would have started singing this song in their heads - in much the same way that my singing, "A-B-C-D-E-F-G," would start you singing the Alphabet Song in your head. They knew this song.
But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all! Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, "Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!" (Psalms 22:6-8 NLT)
Gospel writers like Matthew and John didn't just record random details about the crucifixion. They recorded these events because they watched the details of this Psalm being lived out before them. They knew Jesus was claiming to be the one who fulfilled this, and many others, passages from the Scriptures.
Yet You brought me safely from my mother's womb and led me to trust You at my mother's breast. I was thrust into Your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born. Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me. My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in! Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey. My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing. (Psalms 22:9-18 NLT)
Some of the events, you might reason, Jesus could try to control himself to match the Scriptures of old. Others, though, simply couldn't be arranged by him, though. How could he know people would cast lots for his clothing at the foot of the cross where he hung? Jesus matched the picture in Psalm 22 and many other Scriptures because he is God's solution to our problems. He is the one sent by God. He is the Savior.
O LORD, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid! Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs. Snatch me from the lion's jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen. I will proclaim Your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise You among your assembled people. Praise the LORD, all you who fear Him! Honor Him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show Him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! For He has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned His back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. I will praise You in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship You. (Psalms 22:19-25 NLT)
Jesus did not stay dead. He needed to die that day to pay the penalty for our sin, but on the third day he rose from the dead. He lived to sing the Father's praises, which is exactly what he did. Jesus showed hundreds of disciples how he fulfilled all these Scriptures, after he died and rose again. God never left him that day. God strengthened him to complete this part of His Plan, earning Jesus the title, Savior.
The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the LORD will praise Him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy. The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to Him. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. For royal power belongs to the LORD. He rules all the nations. Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Bow before Him, all who are mortal, all whose lives will end as dust. Our children will also serve Him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything He has done. (Psalms 22:26-31 NLT)
We can praise Him too. God is willing to be our strength and our shield through any difficult time we face. When others see Him working in our lives, they will be drawn to Him, too. The Father helped His Son through even death, and the world was drawn to Him. Now He is willing to help you and me through anything we face, and the world around us will be drawn to Him.
How about you? Do you let Him strengthen you through any difficulty you face? Do you trust God like Jesus did? Do you trust Jesus as your savior?
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