Jesus, our unfathomable sacrifice displayed in the messianic psalm

“MY GOD, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? [Matt. 27:46.]” (Psalm 22:1 AMPC)

Psalm 22 may have been Jesus’ prayer as He was crucified on the cross. The psalm may seem to be the words of David but throughout the psalm it is clear evidence of being a psalm about Jesus—His final words and the events that took place as He was crucified for our sins on the cross. Let’s draw from a few verses and see what there is to find about Jesus.

The words displayed in verse 1 are the words which Jesus spoke on the cross when He was crucified. Jesus desperately desired for God’s presence and favor on the cross, yet God forsook Him once so that He never has to forsake us again. God turned His back on Jesus on the cross so that He never has to turn His back on you and me.

“But I am a worm, and no man; I am the scorn of men, and despised by the people. [Matt. 27:39-44.] All who see me laugh at me and mock me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, … [Matt. 27:43.]” (Psalm 22:6-7 AMPC)

Verses 6 and 7 display a clear picture of how Jesus was perceived by others, not only on the cross but even before He endured the suffering on the cross. People despised Him, He was a mere ordinary man. In fact He was looked down upon and not considered worthy. On the cross they continued to laugh at Him and mock Him for the words He previously shared with them.

The anguish Jesus had to endure on the cross was unimaginable. His body was dissolving from its human nature as He approached His final moments. Not one of His bones was broken but His body was stretched upon the cross as on a rack.

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; it is softened [with anguish] and melted down within me.” (Psalm 22:14 AMPC)

 “My strength is dried up like a fragment of clay pottery; [with thirst] my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and You have brought me into the dust of death. [John 19:28.]” (Psalm 22:15 AMPC)

We see here another disclosure of the torturous final moments which Jesus endured on the cross on our behalf. His strength weakened as He came to His end. His suffering was so great.

“For [like a pack of] dogs they have encompassed me; a company of evildoers has encircled me, they pierced my hands and my feet. [Isa. 53:7; John 19:37.] I can count all my bones; [the evildoers] gaze at me. [Luke 23:27, 35.]” (Psalm 22:16-17 AMPC)

The death of Jesus was at the entertainment of those who demanded it. They were like vultures upon Him not wanting to miss a second of the pain and agony He was enduring. They pierced His hands and feet, the same marks which Jesus was recognised by after He rose from the dead and the same marks we will see when we meet Him again one day when He takes us home.

The scrutiny of anger and punishment that were unleashed on His body were evident as His bones were visible. His flesh was torn open by the stripes He bore for us. A frightening sight for the eyes.

They stripped Jesus of His clothes and cast lots for it. They found Him so insignificant; they even made money from Him while He was enduring the greatest suffering, even for those who were doing this to Him.

 “They part my clothing among them and cast lots for my raiment (a long, shirtlike garment, a seamless undertunic). [John 19:23, 24.])” (Psalm 22:18 AMPC)

 “The poor and afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the Lord–they who [diligently] seek for, inquire of and for Him, and require Him [as their greatest need]. May your hearts be quickened now and forever!” (Psalm 22:26 AMPC)

We shall eat and be satisfied because of the sufferings Jesus had to endure so that we never have to endure it again. If we seek Jesus with all we have and are, if we inquire of Him in everything and place Him at the top of what we need in life, we will be satisfied. This is included in the blessings of the cross which comes with love from Jesus.

“They shall come and shall declare His righteousness to a people yet to be born–that He has done it [that it is finished]! [John 19:30.]” (Psalm 22:31 AMPC)

Jesus became sin so that we can become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our battle against the enemy has been won on the cross through Jesus as He declared our victory by His last words “It is finished!” right before He gave up His Spirit. When He rose from the dead three days later, the manifestation of our victory took on a new revelation for all who believe in the perfect work of Jesus on the cross.

Take a moment today and picture Jesus in His torn body on the cross. See Him in that moment where He looks at you and say, “I have done this for you, because I love you. Your struggles, your sickness, your pain, your insecurities…it is finished!”

Maretha Retief

Illustration by Jeanne de Villiers