The Gospel According to David - 7

I'm convinced that one of the greatest proofs of the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture is the New Testament fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, we come to Psalm 22 in our series of the laments biblical lament and you see the heading the suffering praise and posterity of Messiah. This is a messianic song say wait a minute, it says to the chief musician set to the deer of the Dawn, a Psalm of David. How can it be a Psalm of David and be a messianic Psalm because God inspired David to write this song and it speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ. A thousand years before you ever came into this world to the virgin birth were convinced that this is a messianic song because there is nothing in David's experience that would come close to the description we find here in Psalm 22. In fact, the language of Psalm 22 is so precise and so exact. It's as if it was written by an eyewitness of the crucifixion, and yet the time of David writing this Psalm. Crucifixion wasn't even known as a means of execution. So I say it's one of the strongest proofs of the inerrancy and inspiration of Scripture. Some of called Psalm 22, the fifth gospel because of its emphasis on the Messiah. Some of refer to it as the gospel according to David with and I want us to to take a look at this Psalm and I have seven headings. I will be able to spend very much time on any of them but it's necessary to walk through this Psalm together. So let me give them to you and then will proceed with a C number one in the alienation of Christ, the alienation of Christ in verses one and two.

The consolation of Christ in verses three through five.

The scorn of Christ in verses six through eight. The submission of Christ in verses 9 to 10.

The sufferings of Christ. Verses 11 through 18. The supplication of Christ. Verses 19 through 21 and then finally the salvation of and from Christ in verses 22 through 31 and again as I mentioned prior to reading the Psalm earlier in the service verses one through 21, we see Christ suffering in his crucifixion, and then 22 through the end of the chapter Christ, glory, and his resurrection in the first section we see Christ in the midst of his enemies in the second section we see Christ in the midst of his church. So those two distinctions. I think they're helpful to see most people turn to Psalm 22 and focus on the first half of the Psalm, but I've not really heard too much emphasis on the latter half and it's just a significant so let's begin by considering the alienation of Christ in us. In verses one and two.

This why question that David Penn is an exact it's a Matthew chapter 27 Luke Mark record Christ speaking these words verbatim from the cross.

It is probably the most remembered why question it's ever been asked my God, my God, why have you forsaken me. Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groanings why when we asked the question in life and the perplexities and the providences that come our way were in good company because the Lord Jesus asked that same question.

Why was he experiencing he was experiencing alienation from his father. And it's important that you listen to the specificity of what I'm saying he felt alienated from his father.

Because you see no language here of a father-son relationship.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me. Gone is the familiarity and the relational dimension of the father-son relationship is not referring to God as his father. Here what a contrast to think of this in relationship to John chapter 17 is high priestly prayer in the language there in the intimacy that's communicated as he speaks to his father.

His father is mentioned half a dozen times in John chapter 17, but not here in Psalm 22. These words were spoken of Christ on the cross fact it's there are seven sayings of Christ recorded in the synoptic Gospels as he hung on the cross and this is the fourth, but it's the first that he spoke while under the shroud of darkness.

Darkness came upon the earth at noon and lasted for three hours and at the end of those three hours Christ spoke these words, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me, the cries of the Savior. He says there in verse two. Oh my God I cry in the daytime, but you do not hear and in the night season and am not silent, that's a reference to both the time he was on the cross in daylight and the time he was on the cross when it was night when darkness shrouded the land during that time. So Christ felt the alienation from the father. He, he, who had known nothing but unbroken fellowship from all eternity.

Now sensed estrangement and alienation from his father. No wonder he cried as he did, how acute that must've been sensed by our Savior. What he endured for the sake of sinners is amazing is in it that he would be willing to suffer alienation broken fellowship with the father in undertaking the work of redemption.

It was the greatest hail known to Christ, to be utterly rejected by the father, with whom he had known unhindered fellowship through all eternity. And why why he was bearing the weight of divine wrath and the satisfaction of God's justice toward sinners.

That's why so the alienation of Christ. Notice secondly with me the consolation of Christ in verses 3 to 5 pieces, but you are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel are father stressing you they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were delivered, they trusted in you and were not ashamed. Some your translations have the word yet the beginning of verse three as opposed to, but which is in the new King James and it is a bridge in the midst of this alienation, then this acute estrangement, the Christ was feeling. He cast himself upon the character of his father and what he says here gives us an explanation of why he was sensing this estrangement in his alienation and is captured in verse three. Again he is anchoring his life to the character of his father bought or yet you are holy and there is the explanation why the father turned from the from the sun. He who knew no sin was becoming sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him and his he was bearing sin as the substitute for sinners are holy father could not commune with him could not fellowship with him could not draw near to him and yet turned away from him. That's the explanation that's the answer to the why question the Jesus asked my God, my God, why have you forsaken me. Because of our sin and the holiness of God. That's the answer to that, the consolation of Christ in explanation and then this emphasis on trust our fathers trusted and you they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were delivered, they trusted in you and were not ashamed. And what Christ was saying here in this messianic Psalm was he had entrusted himself to the father.

He didn't know all the workings how this was going to work out but God had been faithful to those who had trusted him and he would be faithful to his son. That's the consolation of Christ in that there was an explanation for his why question and there was the promise that the father would honor his faith as he looked and trusted in him.

So again, the alienation of Christ, the consolation of Christ. You see, we we we have hymns that capture this dynamic. We love the same for Sanderson's him his robes for mine. In the course. I cling to Christ and marvel at the cost. What Jesus forsaken God estranged from God. That's what's being expressed here in these opening verses of Psalm 22, but not only the alienation of Christ in the consolation of Christ, but the scorn the scorn of Christ. Notice versus six, seven and eight, but I am a worm and no man what I read I could barely get past that, rightly understood in our depravity and our fallen humanity work a worm not not the son of God and yet he says but I am a worm and no man a reproach of men and despised by the people. All those who see me ridicule me, they shoot out the lip. They shake the head saying he trusted in the Lord. Let him rescue him, let him deliver him, since he delights in him member the words of the gospel writer.

This is Matthew Matthew chapter 27 verse 41. Think of these words in relation how closely parallel what is being said here is worth considering the scorn of Christ. Matthew 27 verse 41.

Likewise, the chief priests also mocking with the scribes and elders said he saved others, himself, he cannot save if he is the king of Israel.

Let him now come down from the cross and we will believe him. He trusted in God led him deliver him now if he will have him, for he said I am the son of God. Isn't it amazing how these words that were written over a thousand years before the events of Calvary. How closely their mirrored why is that because only God knows the future, God ordains the future and God has the power to bring the future to pass without air is only explanation I know the scorn of Christ. He was not a man in the sense that when they weren't through with Jesus the man he was. But a vestige of a man so cruel so hateful so horrific was the torture and the brutality that was poured out on our Savior and not only prophesied here in Psalm 22 Isaiah 53 prophesies of this Zechariah chapter 12 verse 10 prophesies of this the scorn of Christ.

He was scorned by men look with me at the submission of Christ in verses nine and 10, but you are he who took me out of the womb. You made me trust while on my mother's breasts. I was cast upon you from birth from my mother's womb. You have been my God. Christ is revisiting his earthly history, the virgin birth is childhood of God was superintending his life and blessing his life and he's confessing his submission to the father here I was cast upon you from birth from my mother's womb. You have been my God, and you continue to be.

Jesus is saying or moving rather quickly here seen the alienation of Christ consolation of Christ the scorn of Christ. The submission of Christ look with me that this extended passage and beginning in verse 11 through 18. The sufferings of Christ, the sufferings of Christ and remember this is again not a Psalm of lament and I've not seen but only one that lacks these four elements that I've pointed out to each time we've looked at a Psalm of lament in their here present in the Psalm as well. Remember those four elements.

There is a turning in the midst of the circumstances to God in prayer and that's how this song begins Jesus is in prayer, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me. So there is a turning, there is the complaint, the lament and we see that in the questions it erased and then there is a a point where lament the the why of lament terms to the who of answered prayer and we have the petition being made, asking God for deliverance in the circumstances that were in the Jesus was in an deliverance that's consistent with the character of God and we see that in this section.

What is the request that Jesus makes of his father. Notice it's in verse 11. Be not far from me. Be not far from me. And then verse 21.

Save me from the lion's mouth, and from the horns of the wild oxen to very specific requests be not far from me and save me is the request that Jesus is making of his father. Let's go back to verse 11 be not far from me, for trouble is near for there is none to help with being reference there. There is none to help. What will happen. His disciples fled left in there is none to help.

That's a reference to that, they deserted him.

The trouble to Jesus encountered on the cross is given in the imagery of being surrounded by a pack of wild ravenous animals and it's nothing short of just brutality notice.

Many bulls have surrounded me strong bowls.

Verse 12 of the Sean have encircled me the gape at me with their mouths like a raging and roaring lion. Verse 13 dogs were 16 dogs have surrounded me. Verse 20.

Deliver me from the sword.

My precious life from the power of the dog.

The crowd, the them. The mocking mob. They were a bloodthirsty pack of peace is what is being conveyed here. These evil men, and it's it's it's a reminder to us that man left to his own devices. Man left in his own depravity becomes like an animal like a dog like a lion, and he and why did they do this to Jesus was. It will because they hated him.

Correct. Had Jesus done anything wrong, nothing the innocent, spotless Lamb of God pilot if pilot put a found some justification to charge Jesus with a crime, he would've come up with that. But what did Pilate say was Pilate's conclusion, I find no fault in him no fault what can be said of any of us right there is fault on all of us, not Jesus. And yet look what they did to him and what they did to him is what our sins deserved because that's why they were doing to him what they did. You don't want to miss this. He was given into the hands of evil, wicked, bloodthirsty man, but notice what it says in verse 15 he says my strength is dried up like a potsherd and my tongue clings to my jaws. You have brought me to the dust of death whose that who is the you in verse 15, you have brought me to the dust of death. Terrell I say the father. The father yes the father when love for sinners to father would bruise his son. The prophet Isaiah said it pleased the Lord to Pearson sufferings of Christ will take the time to go to the gospel accounts but this this language, I'm poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax is melted within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd. My tongue clings to my jaws. The dogs have surrounded me. The congregation of the wicked has enclosed me. Verse 16 they pierced my hands and my feet, look at that be, but anything but them physically nailing him to the cross. I can count on my bones.

They look and stare at me. They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots that recorded in the Gospels absolutely, but you will Lord do not be far from me.

Oh 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. Then I ask you to watch for the pivot in the Psalm, and here it is at the end of verse 21 you have answered me. The father received Jesus's spirit when he released it towing on the cross.

The father delivered him.

The father heard him you have answered me, so we move away from the sufferings of Christ and his crucifixion, and now we begin to entertain thoughts of his glory and his resurrection in verses 22 and on the salvation of and from Christ. Verses 22 through 31. These verses imply a future resurrection of Christ in which he would announce his triumph over sin and death. This verse, verse 22.

I will declare your name to my brethren in the midst of the assembly.

I will praise you.

This is what is quoted by the writer of Hebrews concerning Jesus, let me reverse Hebrews chapter 2 verse 11.

Speaking of Jesus for both.

He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all one, for which reason he that is, Christ is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare your name to my brethren in the midst of the assembly. I will saying praise to you, that's a quote from Psalm 22 verse 22 again we read verse 22 of Psalm 22 I will declare your name to my brethren in the midst of the assembly. I will praise you talking about the salvation of and from Christ I will declare your name to my brother in the midst of the assembly. I will praise you. Where did that happen when did that take place when did Christ declare his name to his brother and in the midst of the assembly. Some commentators believe that is a reference to Christ appearing to the disciples in the upper room. Sam glad you told me that I would've seen that what I would've seen that either. If I had to read that. So when I read something I'm thinking okay perhaps you know in my mind I'm thinking but anyway the people the right commentator commentaries are much smarter than I am so but again you don't want to be gullible and take everything that you read for for truth but anyway that's what several commentators said that that was fulfilled when Jesus appeared in the upper room to his disciples. 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 descendents of Jacob glorify him, all you descendents of Jacob all believing Jews all believing Jews are to glorify him again. Remember that fourth element that we noted in all of the elements that there most of these laments and with a statement of praise and is or a statement of renewed trust in this whole section from verse 22 to the end is that very thing. The language of praise and of trust and of honor and of glory.

Verse 24 for who has not despised nor poured the affliction of the afflicted, for he has not despised nor poured the affliction of the afflicted again that speaking this is this is Christ speaking he speaking of his father has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted. He didn't despise Christ like the mobs did the people did around the cross, nor has he hidden his face from him. But when he cried to him he heard again, this is should be an encouragement to us despite the fact that Christ was acutely sensing this alienation from his father. This estrangement from his father. He was never more pleasing to the to the father. Then he was when he was on the cross, fulfilling the will of the father being obedient to his purpose and plan for his life. So the father heard him when he cried to him he heard such an encouragement for up to us not to quit praying not to quit asking not to quit seeking the Lord when we sense estrangement and alienate alienation for whatever's going on in our life we have a confidence is therefore a child of God that he hears us a delight steer us goes on to say again, this is Jesus speaking my praise shall be of you in the great assembly. I will pay my vows before those who fear him, the Porsche lead and be satisfied. Those who seek him will praise the Lord let your heart live forever always on the lookout for verses four missions month themes. Here's a great one versus 27 and 28 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. What a glorious declaration all the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord and all the families of the nations shall worship before you, why, for the kingdom is the Lord's and he rules over the nations. Are you happy denied that he rules over the nations.

He rules over the nations alternations without exception glory hallelujah all the prosperous of the earth shall eat in worship. All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him, even he who cannot keep himself alive. And then there's this future looking a pop spare up a posterity shall serve him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation. And what will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation they will come and declare his righteousness. Folks, that's our message.

That's our hope. That's our standing. That's the ground of our justification. His righteousness to a people who will be born that's speaking in the future of future generations and then the Psalm ends of this glorious note what is part of the declaration that he has done this is done this and it mirrors the words of Christ when he said to Telus.ie it is finished.

He has done this. This is the salvation of and from Christ.

I thought this would be a fitting Psalm to look at in preparation for the Lord's table Lord's table is important and it's critical for number of reasons is it's important and critical number one because it is the appointed means that Jesus gave whereby we remember him were to do this in remembrance of him.

This is the ordinance that God gave the church to for all of us to remember Christ and what he did for us to secure the forgiveness of our sins so the Lord's table is critical for that reason, the Lord's table is critical for a second reason affects how we live our lives as Christians we are to live our lives as Christ gave up his life. How did he give up his life. He gave up his life in obedience to the father. He gave up his life selflessly.

That's how were to live our lives were to live selfless and were to live in surrender and yielded to the will of the father number three the Lord's table is important because it reminds us of what our messages in this world. It informs our gospel speaking, what is it that we speak we speak of Christ, we speak of his righteousness, and we speak of his finished work and if men and women will calm and cast themselves upon the Savior. He will receive them. They will be forgiven is good to be able to preach the gospel. That man doesn't have to add anything to he has done this is done what he has suffered on behalf of his people as a sin bearer to accomplish redemption for those.

The father gave to me that's our message, so the Lord's table is important for those three reasons must remember him as we gather around the table in a few moments. Let me conclude in prayer. Father, we thank you tonight for your son, the Lord Jesus. We marvel that you would give the best heaven had for sinners like us, Lord Jesus, thank you for your willingness to go to the cross of Calvary and the satisfied divine wrath against us that we might be forgiven. Truly to you all power and glory and honor and dominion is do unto you. All worship is due unto you, and help us is redeem children of God to grant to you what you richly deserve. We pray in Christ name a man