Psalm 22 – The Ultimate Sacrifice!
Psalm 22 – The Ultimate Sacrifice!
by Pastor Lee Hemen
July 15, 2007
When bad things have happened to you, have you ever wondered aloud to God, “Why me?” We all have at one time or another.
The writer David apparently felt forsaken by God, as he was surrounded by his enemies’ scornful persecution. He lamented his tremendous suffering and his desperate struggle with death, pleading with God to deliver him from such a horrible end. Apparently his prayer was answered, for he was able to declare that the Lord had indeed answered his prayer. In fact, because of the description used by David and prophetic utterances involved, the church has understood this psalm to be a foretelling of the death of Jesus Christ. We understand that while under the influence of the Holy Spirit, David often used poetic expressions to portray his sufferings or trials, but his poetic words here became literally true of the later suffering of Jesus Christ at His enemies’ hands. Jesus would become the world’s ultimate sacrifice. Let’s discover what this means for our lives today…
READ: Psalm 22
We have to be careful in how much we attribute David’s words here to Jesus simply because some of the description would not fit Jesus at all. Yet within these words of David we discover a startling revelation of the Lord concerning the sacrifice He would ultimately make in order to rescue those caught by the “roaring lions” and the “dogs” of life that surround them. God can and does deliver those who put their trust in His Son Jesus Christ. Let’s discover for ourselves what the Psalmist David writes concerning the ultimate sacrifice.
I. In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, He was Forsaken for Our Sake! (vv. 1-8)
1. We may feel forsaken in life, but God never leaves us alone! (John 6:37 & 10:28-29) The Psalmist felt that his life was so hard at the moment, that God had abandoned him. He asks, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Yet even in his distress, he realized he could find confidence from the fact that God had answered the prayers of those who had come before him! In God, his “fathers [had] put their trust.” While it seemed God was “far from the words” of his groaning, God was not. God was still “enthroned as the Holy One!” Just as his ancestors had “cried to [God] and were saved,” he knew he could trust and in the Lord and not be “disappointed.” The psalmist, though scorned by men, was convinced that the God of his youth would not abandon him forever. He may feel like a “worm” now, but God would rescue him. In these prophetic words we also discover the same rejection Jesus experienced at the hands of His countrymen and the rejection He went through. The crowds mocked Him and hurled insults at Him as well! The expressions used in Psalm 22:8 were adapted by those who mocked Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:42-43), not realizing that they were fulfilling this prophecy and that He was the suffering Messiah. In fact, in Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, He was forsaken for our sake!
EXAMPLE: Herbert Vander Lugt writes, “Rejection hurts. When candidate Adlai Stevenson conceded the US presidential election in 1952, he said he felt like a grown man who had just stubbed his toe. He added, ‘It hurts too much to laugh, but I'm too old to cry.’” Little children feel the pain of rejection when they are chosen last. As they grow older, some will not be chosen for the varsity team. Some will be turned down by a girl or boy they want to date. Some may marry and have their spouse leave them for another person. They may wonder why the Lord allows them to be rejected. I have no easy answer. I can only suggest that they look to Jesus, remembering how He experienced the ultimate rejection. He was scorned by His own countrymen and betrayed by a friend. He heard the crowd demand His crucifixion. On the cross, as He bore our sin, He felt such abandonment by His Father that He cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" When you feel the deep hurt of rejection, remember that Jesus lovingly understands how you feel. If you have trusted Him, He has accepted you—and He will never reject those who trust in Him (John 6:37). In Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, He was forsaken for our sake!
While sometimes in life we may feel the sting of rejection, God never rejects those He loves. There is a reason for this. It is called the grace of God. In fact, in reading this Psalm of David we soon discover the very reason for this. We find that…
II. In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, He took Our Sins On Himself! (vv. 9-18)
1. A child of God knows who they can trust during life’s greatest hardships! David had known God since his birth! David felt secure in the fact that God had complete control of his life, from “the womb” and “from birth, “ David would cry, “You have been my God!” So now David laments, “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.” David’s enemies were like bulls surrounding him and his sins were like “roaring lions tearing their prey.” In complete anguish he despairs that, “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.” It is the perfect description of someone being crucified. Like Jesus hanging on the cross, David’s “strength is dried up like a potsherd, and [his] tongue sticks to the roof of [his] mouth – he felt as if he were “in the dust of death.” David again described his enemies and his agony. His enemies tortured him and thoughtlessly watched him. He compared them to dogs, who in the ancient world were scavengers. Like dogs, his foes (evil men) surrounded him, waiting till he was dead so they could tear at his limbs and pierce his “hands and feet” with their teeth. While this is the actual meaning of the Hebrew it is startling how it describes Jesus’ death, including that David’s words closely follow Jesus’ crucifixion: “I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” Isaiah would lament, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) Matthew writes, “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” (Matthew 27:35) In Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, He took our sins on Himself!
EXAMPLE: Dave Branon writes that “You can't show a greater love for people than James Harrison demonstrated. And he did it for people he didn't even know. Harrison, a member of the Ouachita Baptist University choir, was returning home from Europe with his fellow singers. As their plane was landing in Little Rock, Arkansas, it was hit by heavy rains and high winds. The jet skidded off the runway and hit a bank of lights, ripping open the fuselage. As chaos reigned and flames broke out in the mangled plane, Harrison began to help others. Over and over, he pulled passengers to safety and ran back to the plane for more. On his last trip into the burning wreckage, he was overcome with smoke. He didn't make it out alive. At his funeral, the choir director quoted John 15:13, ‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.’ Jesus was really speaking of His own death on our behalf, and the choir leader pointed out the value of this ultimate sacrifice. We may never be called upon to make the kind of sacrifice James made during that horrible tragedy.” It is therefore good news to know that in Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, He took our sins on Himself!
In our politically correct world, heroism has been dumbed down to include just about any noble ordeal or deed. This is not the true definition of heroism. While it may be noble for someone to resolutely face a life-threatening disease, it does not necessarily automatically make them a “hero.” Heroism is more than just facing life, whatever life brings our way. Heroes are those who in the face of extreme danger to themselves, are willing to sacrifice their lives in order to rescue those caught in harm’s way. In this we discover Jesus was the ultimate hero. In this Psalm of David we are reminded that…
III. In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, God Provides! (19-31)
1. God’s own can be confident they are heard! David quickly goes to the One who has the power and the answers for his life’s predicament. He prays, “But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me!” In fact, he does not mince words, he wants those roaring lions and wild dogs dealt with and readily beseeches: “Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions!” David tells God that if He will rescue him, “I will declare Your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise You. You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor Him! Revere Him, all you descendants of Israel!” David knew that God takes care of His own: the “poor [in spirit] will eat and be satisfied!” But in describing perfectly the future events of what Jesus death, burial, and resurrection would bring about, David prays, “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him!” In fact, “They will proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn—for He has done it!” The famous theologian Helmut Thielicke wrote, “Towering over all, alone on the stage of history will stand One, not just a fine, good man, but the only One who is God incarnate; the exact representation of God in human form, begotten of God. The Deliverer and Savior.” In David’s prophetic Psalm we discover that in Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, God provides!
EXAMPLE: Mart De Haan related the story of William and Mary Tanner who were crossing the railroad tracks when it happened. Mary's foot slipped and wedged itself between the rail and the wooden crosswalk. She tried frantically to pull her foot free as the sound of an approaching train was heard. There were but seconds left as the express came rushing toward her around a curve. Will Tanner pulled on her foot, desperately trying to free her. As the train came closer and its whistle screamed and brakes shrieked, Will held her in his arms. While people shuddered in horror, the train thundered over them. One witness said that just before the engine hit them, he heard the brave man cry, "I'll stay with you, Mary!" That is great love! De Haan states that “This story reminds me of our Savior, who loved us with a love that can save us (John 3:16). Death came hurtling at Him as He hung on a cross and took the full penalty we deserved. He heard people cry out to Him to save Himself and come down from the cross (Matthew 27:40). But to save others He chose not to save Himself (v.42). With divine, sacrificial love, Jesus refused to spare His own life. He died so that He could provide forgiveness of sins for us. Our Savior stayed on the cross—for you and for me!” In Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, God provides.
Conclusion:
In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, He was Forsaken for Our Sake! In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, He took Our Sins On Himself! In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, God Provides!
by Pastor Lee Hemen
July 15, 2007
When bad things have happened to you, have you ever wondered aloud to God, “Why me?” We all have at one time or another.
The writer David apparently felt forsaken by God, as he was surrounded by his enemies’ scornful persecution. He lamented his tremendous suffering and his desperate struggle with death, pleading with God to deliver him from such a horrible end. Apparently his prayer was answered, for he was able to declare that the Lord had indeed answered his prayer. In fact, because of the description used by David and prophetic utterances involved, the church has understood this psalm to be a foretelling of the death of Jesus Christ. We understand that while under the influence of the Holy Spirit, David often used poetic expressions to portray his sufferings or trials, but his poetic words here became literally true of the later suffering of Jesus Christ at His enemies’ hands. Jesus would become the world’s ultimate sacrifice. Let’s discover what this means for our lives today…
READ: Psalm 22
We have to be careful in how much we attribute David’s words here to Jesus simply because some of the description would not fit Jesus at all. Yet within these words of David we discover a startling revelation of the Lord concerning the sacrifice He would ultimately make in order to rescue those caught by the “roaring lions” and the “dogs” of life that surround them. God can and does deliver those who put their trust in His Son Jesus Christ. Let’s discover for ourselves what the Psalmist David writes concerning the ultimate sacrifice.
I. In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, He was Forsaken for Our Sake! (vv. 1-8)
1. We may feel forsaken in life, but God never leaves us alone! (John 6:37 & 10:28-29) The Psalmist felt that his life was so hard at the moment, that God had abandoned him. He asks, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Yet even in his distress, he realized he could find confidence from the fact that God had answered the prayers of those who had come before him! In God, his “fathers [had] put their trust.” While it seemed God was “far from the words” of his groaning, God was not. God was still “enthroned as the Holy One!” Just as his ancestors had “cried to [God] and were saved,” he knew he could trust and in the Lord and not be “disappointed.” The psalmist, though scorned by men, was convinced that the God of his youth would not abandon him forever. He may feel like a “worm” now, but God would rescue him. In these prophetic words we also discover the same rejection Jesus experienced at the hands of His countrymen and the rejection He went through. The crowds mocked Him and hurled insults at Him as well! The expressions used in Psalm 22:8 were adapted by those who mocked Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:42-43), not realizing that they were fulfilling this prophecy and that He was the suffering Messiah. In fact, in Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, He was forsaken for our sake!
EXAMPLE: Herbert Vander Lugt writes, “Rejection hurts. When candidate Adlai Stevenson conceded the US presidential election in 1952, he said he felt like a grown man who had just stubbed his toe. He added, ‘It hurts too much to laugh, but I'm too old to cry.’” Little children feel the pain of rejection when they are chosen last. As they grow older, some will not be chosen for the varsity team. Some will be turned down by a girl or boy they want to date. Some may marry and have their spouse leave them for another person. They may wonder why the Lord allows them to be rejected. I have no easy answer. I can only suggest that they look to Jesus, remembering how He experienced the ultimate rejection. He was scorned by His own countrymen and betrayed by a friend. He heard the crowd demand His crucifixion. On the cross, as He bore our sin, He felt such abandonment by His Father that He cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" When you feel the deep hurt of rejection, remember that Jesus lovingly understands how you feel. If you have trusted Him, He has accepted you—and He will never reject those who trust in Him (John 6:37). In Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, He was forsaken for our sake!
While sometimes in life we may feel the sting of rejection, God never rejects those He loves. There is a reason for this. It is called the grace of God. In fact, in reading this Psalm of David we soon discover the very reason for this. We find that…
II. In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, He took Our Sins On Himself! (vv. 9-18)
1. A child of God knows who they can trust during life’s greatest hardships! David had known God since his birth! David felt secure in the fact that God had complete control of his life, from “the womb” and “from birth, “ David would cry, “You have been my God!” So now David laments, “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.” David’s enemies were like bulls surrounding him and his sins were like “roaring lions tearing their prey.” In complete anguish he despairs that, “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.” It is the perfect description of someone being crucified. Like Jesus hanging on the cross, David’s “strength is dried up like a potsherd, and [his] tongue sticks to the roof of [his] mouth – he felt as if he were “in the dust of death.” David again described his enemies and his agony. His enemies tortured him and thoughtlessly watched him. He compared them to dogs, who in the ancient world were scavengers. Like dogs, his foes (evil men) surrounded him, waiting till he was dead so they could tear at his limbs and pierce his “hands and feet” with their teeth. While this is the actual meaning of the Hebrew it is startling how it describes Jesus’ death, including that David’s words closely follow Jesus’ crucifixion: “I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” Isaiah would lament, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) Matthew writes, “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” (Matthew 27:35) In Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, He took our sins on Himself!
EXAMPLE: Dave Branon writes that “You can't show a greater love for people than James Harrison demonstrated. And he did it for people he didn't even know. Harrison, a member of the Ouachita Baptist University choir, was returning home from Europe with his fellow singers. As their plane was landing in Little Rock, Arkansas, it was hit by heavy rains and high winds. The jet skidded off the runway and hit a bank of lights, ripping open the fuselage. As chaos reigned and flames broke out in the mangled plane, Harrison began to help others. Over and over, he pulled passengers to safety and ran back to the plane for more. On his last trip into the burning wreckage, he was overcome with smoke. He didn't make it out alive. At his funeral, the choir director quoted John 15:13, ‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.’ Jesus was really speaking of His own death on our behalf, and the choir leader pointed out the value of this ultimate sacrifice. We may never be called upon to make the kind of sacrifice James made during that horrible tragedy.” It is therefore good news to know that in Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, He took our sins on Himself!
In our politically correct world, heroism has been dumbed down to include just about any noble ordeal or deed. This is not the true definition of heroism. While it may be noble for someone to resolutely face a life-threatening disease, it does not necessarily automatically make them a “hero.” Heroism is more than just facing life, whatever life brings our way. Heroes are those who in the face of extreme danger to themselves, are willing to sacrifice their lives in order to rescue those caught in harm’s way. In this we discover Jesus was the ultimate hero. In this Psalm of David we are reminded that…
III. In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, God Provides! (19-31)
1. God’s own can be confident they are heard! David quickly goes to the One who has the power and the answers for his life’s predicament. He prays, “But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me!” In fact, he does not mince words, he wants those roaring lions and wild dogs dealt with and readily beseeches: “Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions!” David tells God that if He will rescue him, “I will declare Your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise You. You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor Him! Revere Him, all you descendants of Israel!” David knew that God takes care of His own: the “poor [in spirit] will eat and be satisfied!” But in describing perfectly the future events of what Jesus death, burial, and resurrection would bring about, David prays, “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him!” In fact, “They will proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn—for He has done it!” The famous theologian Helmut Thielicke wrote, “Towering over all, alone on the stage of history will stand One, not just a fine, good man, but the only One who is God incarnate; the exact representation of God in human form, begotten of God. The Deliverer and Savior.” In David’s prophetic Psalm we discover that in Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, God provides!
EXAMPLE: Mart De Haan related the story of William and Mary Tanner who were crossing the railroad tracks when it happened. Mary's foot slipped and wedged itself between the rail and the wooden crosswalk. She tried frantically to pull her foot free as the sound of an approaching train was heard. There were but seconds left as the express came rushing toward her around a curve. Will Tanner pulled on her foot, desperately trying to free her. As the train came closer and its whistle screamed and brakes shrieked, Will held her in his arms. While people shuddered in horror, the train thundered over them. One witness said that just before the engine hit them, he heard the brave man cry, "I'll stay with you, Mary!" That is great love! De Haan states that “This story reminds me of our Savior, who loved us with a love that can save us (John 3:16). Death came hurtling at Him as He hung on a cross and took the full penalty we deserved. He heard people cry out to Him to save Himself and come down from the cross (Matthew 27:40). But to save others He chose not to save Himself (v.42). With divine, sacrificial love, Jesus refused to spare His own life. He died so that He could provide forgiveness of sins for us. Our Savior stayed on the cross—for you and for me!” In Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, God provides.
Conclusion:
In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, He was Forsaken for Our Sake! In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, He took Our Sins On Himself! In Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice, God Provides!
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