December 12, 2021 – Psalm 22 continued

As I wrote, yesterday, there is much more in Psalm 22. Messiah’s suffering would include thirst. David suffered thusly: “My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death”(Psalm 22:15). --> Jesus experienced a similar thirst, which was pictured in David’s experience and in the psalm: “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty’” (John 19:28).

Those who crucified Jesus would pierce his hands and feet. David described his experience: “Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet (Psalm 22:16). --> Ultimately, David’s testimony pointed to Christ and his suffering on the cross: “These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken,’ and, as another Scripture says, ‘They will look on the one they have pierced’” (John 19:36,37).

David’s experience even foresees the casting of lots for Jesus’ clothing. David: “They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment” (Psalm 22:18). --> Regarding Jesus: “When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.’ This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, ‘They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.’ So the soldiers did these things” (John 19:23,24).

Samuel Wesley finishes his hymn:

Hark, how He groans, while nature shakes,

And earth’s strong pillars bend!

The temple’s veil in sunder breaks;

The solid marbles rend.

‘Tis done! the precious ransom’s paid!

“Receive my soul!” He cries;

See where He bows His sacred head!

He bows His head and dies!

But soon He’ll break death’s envious chain,

And in full glory shine;

O Lamb of God, was ever pain,

Was ever love, like Thine?-- Samuel Wesley (1709)