February 24, 2019

Psalm 22

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Psalm 22:1-31
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Any passage of Scripture is God breathed and approachable
    • Certain passages of Scripture need to be approached with carefulness
    • E.g. Passages that focus on the sufferings of Jesus
    • Psalm 22 is one of those passages
  • A depth to this psalm
    • The very real historical context:
      • The trials of King David that might lead to his death
      • Emotional and psychological suffering
      • Possibly when King Saul and enemy were pursuing David
    • We can apply the psalm today
    • [The main context:] The death of the Lord Jesus Christ
  • The psalm see-saws between:
    • 3 cries of real, raw feelings
    • 3 answers of faith

I am Abandoned

  • Most of us will face experiences that will cause us to cry out (v1-2)
    • Why?
    • "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" - Jesus cried out on the cross
      • We have a Saviour that understands everything we go through
    • In the darkness of David's situation, he feels that God has abandoned/deserted him
      • Have we ever felt like this?
      • Do we feel that there is no answer and that the situation is not changing?
    • Jesus literally went though a time of darkness
      • He cried out to God
      • He felt abandoned
      • He can sympathise with us
  • How can Jesus be forsaken?
    • We are dealing with limited truths that we cannot understand
    • In Jesus' death He was becoming a substitute for our sin - for all His people
    • This was required to satisfy God's justice
    • 2 Cor 5:21
    • Example of a breakdown in communication
    • In a sense we are reading about a breakdown in communication between the Father and the Son [due to sin]
  • An answer in Scripture by the voice of faith (v3-5)
    • We may feel at our lowest point that God is not there - but He is always there
    • The bond of love within the Godhead could never be broken
    • God is there (v3-5)
    • Have you known this reality in life's experience?
    • During these times we must walk by faith and not be sight

I am Despised

  • I am despised (v6-8)
    • No lower creature than a worm - you must feel pretty despised/low to feel like this
    • In one sense, we are a very low creature, but not unimportant
    • God lifts us to see an answer
  • Christ was despised
    • He became a reproach to men
    • Isa 53:2-3
    • The same people who a few days earlier had hailed Him as the 'King of Kings' - some of these were now crying out crucify Him
  • Christ was ridiculed (v7-8)
    • The soldiers mocked Jesus
    • The crowd mocked
      • Matt 27:39
    • The poured scorn on Jesus in addition to the physical punishment
    • The pharisees quoted Scripture in their opposition to Jesus
      • Matt 27:41-43 cf v8
  • Though we have not suffered as Christ
    • We have likely been despised
    • There is world wide persecution of Christian
    • We are blessed when we are reviled and persecuted - Matt 5:11-12
  • Faith answers (v9-11)
    • David remembers how God has not only been there for him but has cared for him
    • God has sovereignly cared for us
    • We matter to God
    • Can we doubt this care when we see what He has given to us
      • Our life
      • Family and friends
      • Provisions from God - food, housing
      • The availability of God's word
    • The Lord Jesus had known God's care in His life
      • Think of King Herod - God stepped in
    • Do we realise the lengths that God has gone to, to save us?
      • Gal 2:20

I am Destroyed

  • Jesus felt that His body was being destroyed (v12-18)
    • The enemy is described as strong bulls and dogs
    • Jesus was being poured out as a drink offering (v14)
    • His bones were out of joint
    • His heart seemed to melt with fear
    • The piercing of the hands and feet - foretold accurately in the Psalms (v16)
    • No broken bones - foretold accurately in the Psalms (v17)
    • The casting of lots for Jesus' clothes - foretold accurately in the Psalms (v18)
    • Dehydration and thirst - foretold accurately in the Psalms (v15)
  • Jesus cried out "It is finished"
    • Not a personal cry - a cry of faith
  • The answer of faith is that God saves (v21)
    • Christ was raised from the dead
    • "It is finished" - God's work has been accomplished
    • A cry of triumph and not of despair
    • The reality of salvation even in the midst of trial and suffering
    • God saves
    • David had physical deliverance from his enemies
    • We are under spiritual death and require Salvation from Jesus Christ
    • We must trust in the Lord Jesus
      • Acts 4:12
    • David praises God (v22)
      • Heb 2 - Jesus leads His people to God's throne
    • Salvation is for all people (v30-31)
    • "That He has done this" - 'It is finished'
    • Look to Jesus today and be saved

Closing Remarks

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