TUESDAY, JULY 24
Psalm 22:1-31
Matthew 27:1-66

“It is better to trust in the LORD …”

THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE MESSIAH

The title of Psalm 22 (“Aijeleth Shahar”) is translated “Hind of the Morning.” Spurgeon says, “Our Lord Jesus is so often compared to a hind, and his cruel huntings are so pathetically described in this most affecting psalm …”

Under most excruciating circumstances, David’s soul overflowed with these prophetic words of groaning which most fittingly coincided with the Messiah’s groaning in His crucifixion. That David could say “they pierced my hands and my feet” when death by crucifixion was unknown in his time is another evidence of Divine revelation.

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”) The very introduction to this Psalm was quoted by our Lord on the cross. Our Lord, having read Psalm 22 in His lifetime and seen Himself in each development of the Holy Tragedy, had uttered subconsciously in that extreme moment of suffering!

Let us, with the three Marys and John standing at the foot of the Cross, penitentially trace each N.T. fulfilment of this O.T. prophecy:
v 7-8: where Jesus is reviled is fulfilled in Matthew 27:39, 43; Mark 15:29.
v 14: describes the profuse perspiration, the heart is affected.
v 15: strength exhausted and extreme thirst (John 19:28).
v 16: the hands and feet pierced (Matt 27:35).
v 17: His modesty outraged by the starers (Matt 27:36).
v 18: (See Matthew 27:35)

O, to enter into the Holy of Holies of His sufferings! But His sufferings were for our sakes; therefore His death brought Him the victory of life regained. This saddest Psalm soon breaks forth into joy like the morning sun, chasing away the gloom of the night. The triumphant ending of this Psalm (v 24-31) is the logical conclusion to the Messiah’s saving work.

THOUGHT: “Lest I forget Gethsemane … Lead me to Calvary.”
PRAYER: May I never forget the price Thou hast paid for me, O Lord.