Psalm 22 is no doubt some of the “holiest ground” in all of Scripture. From the opening words of the Psalm, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me” . . . those same words which the Savior cried out from the cross (Matt. 27:46) . . . from those opening words, you know, should you care to pay attention, you are about to enter into something of the suffering of the Messiah upon the cross . . . the suffering endured for your sin.

You see the Son of God in a place where He feels forsaken of God . . . where He considers Himself “a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people”. He is ridiculed and mocked, “If God so delights in You, why are you hanging there? Let Him deliver You.” He is beset by an angry, ravenous crowd gazing upon the spectacle of His forsaken-ness . . . they are like gaping bulls, like raging and roaring lions, like a pack of dogs cornering their prey. He Himself is poured out like water . . . His bones are out of joint . . . His heart like melted wax within Him . . . His strength evaporated . . . His tongue dried out and clinging to the sides of His mouth . . . nearing the dust of death. His hands and feet are pierced . . . and the people stare at Him . . . some gambling for the clothes stripped from Him. (Ps. 22:1-18)

And all that is left to the One who became flesh . . . to the One who, though He knew no sin, became sin for us (2Cor. 5:21) . . . to the One who though He possesses heaven’s treasures, yet, for our sakes, He became poor (2Cor. 8:9) . . . all that He can do is appeal to the Father who has gone silent, “But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion’s mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen!” (Ps. 22:19-21a)

And then, you hit the turning point . . . “You have answered Me” (22:21b).

You don’t get that from the NIV which translates it as a continuation of the plea, “Save me!” The ESV translates it closer to the NKJV, “You have rescued me.” I think the NKJV and ESV are in the ballpark because after this, the tone of the Psalm takes a 180 degree turn . . . “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You. You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him” (22:22-23). It’s the turning point.

And as I pause over this verse . . . it cries out to me, “Resurrection!” Isn’t that how the Father answered the Son’s cry from the cross? God’s purposes were served through the Sons obedience upon the cross . . . but then He answered the prayer . . . and delivered Him from death . . . not allowing His Holy One to see corruption (Ps. 16:10). And in the power of that resurrected life He says, “I will declare Your name to my brethren . . . in the midst of the assembly I will praise You!” Because He lives, He can promise that “the poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him will praise the Lord, let your heart live forever!” (22:26). Because He conquered the grave, “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations” (22:27-28).

From victim to victor . . . from forsaken to forever before Him . . . from poverty to praise . . . from wasted to worship. It all lies in the turning point . . . the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory . . . amen.