Editor’s Note:
Each Friday of the Lent season leading up to Easter, we have shared a passage of scripture that helps us reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. From before time, through Old Testament to New, this plan for God in the flesh to step down to earth and provide redemption has always been. This is the final week of Lent reflections*, and as we read the passage and think through the questions that follow, we invite you to reflect on what Christ did and His great love for us this Easter season.
The final reflection comes from Psalm 22. Written by David, in the most general sense, this psalm reflects his cry to God to save him from his enemies and ends with him thanking God for that salvation. In a larger sense, this psalm, better than any other psalm, serves as a direct link between the Old Testament and Jesus’ passion.
Psalm 22
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
10 On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother's womb you have been my God.
11 Be not far from me,
for trouble is near,
and there is none to help.
12 Many bulls encompass me;
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet—
17 I can count all my bones—
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off!
O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog!
21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred
the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
but has heard, when he cried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the Lord!
May your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before you.
28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
even the one who could not keep himself alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him;
it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
that he has done it.
Reflection questions:
1. Jesus quoted David’s words in verse 1 while he was on the cross [Matthew 27:46]. What other verses in Psalm 22 point to the events of Good Friday?
2. Even as David is in distress, he chooses to praise God and remember His goodness. What characteristics of God does David reference in this passage?
3. While praising God, David points to the finished work that will ultimately come through the cross. Through Jesus, salvation is available for all. How can you live in light of this truth this week—is there some truth you need to remember in your own walk with Jesus? Is there someone in your life who you can pray for, remind, tell for the first time, or in some other way show how greatly they are loved by the Savior?
*Although this is the final Lent reflection, check back next week, as three of our writers share thoughts on Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.