Genesis 49, Psalm 22:12-31, Matthew 9:27-38, Acts 14

Psalm 22:12-31:

At this point in the psalm, it becomes crystal clear what the great Matthew Henry says about it:

“The Spirit of Christ, which was in the prophets, testifies in this psalm, as clearly and fully as any where in all the Old Testament, “the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow’’ (1 Peter 1:11), of him, no doubt, David here speaks, and not of himself, or any other man.”

We are drawn into this psalm by the sufferings of David, but soon we realize that David here speaks prophetically of the sufferings of another. Most specifically consider these texts that are fulfilled in none other than Christ:

“They have pierced my hands and my feet” “They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing cast lots”

But also the whole tenor of this section of the psalm speaks of the suffering, death, and life of the Son of God. Jesus was surrounded as by “bulls of Bashan” (22:12), the chief priests in their council against him. His “strength was dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death” (22:15).

And then finally, “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” (22:24). It is a great salve to the soul to meditate on the sufferings of Christ. We worship a God who is not immune to the pains of this world. He is not like the Buddha who sits impassively with a serene smile on his face, while all around the world bleeds and cries in agony. He is a crucified Lord. His love is such that he did not only share our humanity, he shared our common fallen fatal fate. He took death, when he need not. He experienced pain for no reason except the reason of love. How great is this Lord!

And how foolish are they who leave the path of Golgotha to wander down the deceitful streets of mystical Eastern religions or a cross-less Christianity which is no Christianity at all. This Christ can sympathize with our weaknesses for he has borne them. He can help us in our time of trouble for he has experienced troubles. And he rose again!

This morning, then, reflect on the sufferings of the Christ. And know that he has triumphed over sin, death, hell, and risen again to new life! And “all the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD” (22:27)!