Whenever I read the first sentence of this psalm, my thoughts immediately go to Jesus citing it in Hebrew from the cross, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (Matthew 27:46).
Jesus had spent much of the previous night crying out to His Father in agonizing prayer as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. How did He endure the crucifixion, which was the source of this agony?
This cry from the cross might offer a clue.
In the final moments of His suffering, we hear Him quoting the messianic Psalm 22 that speaks of the horrors of His sacrificial death. The mocking of the Jews is prophesized there. The derision of the Roman soldiers, and the details of His torture, are as well. But His victory is also proclaimed in this psalm. After the torture comes the joyful celebration of the worldwide community of the redeemed. Jesus filled His mind with prophecy concerning, not only His death, but also His resurrection and enthronement. In His final moments, Jesus focused on the eternal joy His passion would produce (Psalm 22:22-31).
In Hebrews 12.2, we read, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
What a lesson this is for us! When we feel utterly forsaken by our God and cry out to Him, may we also choose to fill our hearts with the end of this messianic psalm, which shows God's prophecies of eternal joy.
Jesus, how amazing it is to see you clinging to prophecy in those horrifying hours on the cross. Thank you for crying out the first verse of Psalm 22 so we would read it and discover the comfort, strength, and joy you derived from focusing on everything your passion would produce. May we also focus on eternity whenever we face life's pain, suffering, and sorrow. Amen.
Go Deeper — Read Psalm 22 and Matthew 27:32-55, to notice all the ways Matthew highlights this psalm in his passion account.
Read Further — How praise can turn things around when it comes to your attitude in times of trouble.
Photo Credit: Nadia Supertino