My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Psalm 22:1 NLT
We have a phrase in English, “All’s well that ends well.” But you could contrast that with the saying, “The ends don’t justify the means.” Do you understand the conflict between these two snippets of common sense wisdom?
"The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him."
Surely, we want to end up at verse 27 but oh what a desperately difficult path David has to walk to get there.
In verses 1, 11 and 19 David expresses fear that God is not near.
v.1 Why are you so far away
v.11 Do not stay so far from me,
v.19 O Lord, do not stay far away!
There are about 1000 years between David and Jesus. And the Davidic literature was well known to all Jews during Jesus’ time. And yet so many details of what David writes in Psalm 22 happened at the crucifixion of Jesus.
v.6 But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all!
v.7 Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
v.8 “Is this the one who relies on the Lord? Then let the Lord save him! If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him!” (Luke 23:35)
v.12 My enemies surround me
v.14 My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. (John 19:28)
v.15 My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
v.16 They have pierced my hands and feet. (Mt. 27:35, Mk 15:24, Lk 23:33 , Jn 19:18)
v.17 I can count all my bones.
v.18 They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.
I encourage you to compare Matthew, Mark, Luke and John’s accounts of the crucifixion with this Psalm of David written at least 1000 years before.
But it is the end of the Psalm that is most interesting because it is here we see the result, and it is surprising. Had the disciples of Jesus, the religious leaders of His time who were plotting to kill him, and any who knew this Psalm had understood it properly, they could see that it ends with David (Jesus/the king, the promised one of God) on top, winning and in spectacular ways.
27 The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him.
28 For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.
29 Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Bow before him, all who are mortal,
all whose lives will end as dust.
30 Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
31 His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.
Main Point: God’s plan takes His king through terrible suffering to arrive at triumphant, ultimate, complete supremacy!
God’s planned path to victory is a path of suffering; this path of suffering for His servant is unbelievably deep and difficult. vv.1-21
Jesus and all his followers must walk a path of suffering that will feel unbearable. It is the plan of God. It accomplishes great glory for God and great faith and love for His followers.
God has a past record of snatching victory from the jaws of death. vv.21-24
God’s plan of triumph is unbelievably comprehensive. vv.24-31
This is a very full chapter and time and space today do not allow me to unpack it all for you. I welcome comments and questions.
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