Hello, my friend. I am so encouraged by the way several of you have said this look at the Psalms is turning into a really valuable spiritual experience. It has been refreshing for me, as well, and so we continue with this adventure into this great body of Scripture. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement as we seek here in the Village Schools to encourage people to stop playing around with the Bible and begin to study it seriously, intentionally.
We will be looking during these next three days at three remarkable Psalms, in the way they reveal prophetic teaching. PSALM 22, our Psalm for today, refers to Christ’s work in the Past. In Psalm 22, the good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep (John 10:11). Psalm 23 reflects Christ’s enabling work in the present, and the great shepherd tenderly cares for His sheep (Heb.13:20). Psalm 24 reflects Christ’s victorious work in the future, when the Chief Shepherd (I Peter 5:4) appears as King of glory to bring His children home. This is what salvation really is. Its past work is redemption, its present work is sanctification and its future work is glorification. And today we look at Psalm 22, an amazing prediction of Christ’s redemptive death on the cross, an event which was to occur many centuries later.
I’m sure you’ve been startled as you read in Psalm 22:1 Christ’s cry on the cross, “Why have you forsaken me?” fulfilled in Matt. 27:46. You read in vs. 8 the mockery of the tormentors who said, “He trusts the Lord; let the Lord rescue him,” as recorded in Matt. 27:42. We read in vs. 13 his cry, “I thirst”, as fulfilled in John 19:28. And in vs. 16, “they have pierced my hands and my feet”, referred to in John 19:18. And vs. 18 we read “they divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing”, exactly what happened as described in John 19:23.
When it is remembered that crucifixion was a Roman, not Jewish, form of execution, then this whole chapter proves that only inspiration from the Lord could have made such a prophecy possible. At vs. 22, this 22nd Psalm shifts from Christ’s crucifixion to His resurrection, anticipating Christ’s command to His disciples to share the good news to his brethren gathered in the house of Mary (John 20:17). In the closing verses of this Psalm we rejoice, that “all the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will worship before thee, for the Kingdom is the Lord’s…” He breaks the power of canceled sin and sets the prisoner free.
“Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of pondering these amazing prophetic Scriptures, describing your death and your resurrection for us. Thank you for the confidence and trust we have in the assurance that our sins have been forgiven and we are alive in you. Bless my friend who is alongside, even as we pray for each family. And we pray, Lord, for those in stress and in heavy needs. Thanks for your loving presence with us all.”
Thank you, partner, for your encouragement. Cheerio!
Village Schools of the Bible 