Psalm 22: Four Prophetic Proofs to Persuade you that Jesus is the Promised Messiah

 

Four Prophetic Proofs to Persuade you that Jesus is the Promised Messiah

Psalm 22

Purpose: Here are four prophetic proofs  to persuade you that Jesus is the promised Messiah, so you will praise Him.

Psalms 22 points to Jesus:

1. According to the New Testament.
2. And it is not about David or Esther.
3. And fits with Jesus perfectly. 
4. Promised Praise.

 

1. Psalm 22 points to Jesus, according to the New Testament.

Explanation: According to the New Testament, Psalms 22 is Messianic, and points to Jesus.

Proof:

1. Messianic Psalms do exists
   1. Some, even Christians do not believe that Messianic Psalms exists
   2. One glorious morning in Luke 24:44-47
      1. This was Jesus’ “Sunday school”
      2. Notice the Psalms was mentioned as being fulfilled (v.44)
      3. The Scripture tells of Christ suffering (v.46)
      4. Repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be declared to the nations (v.47)
      5. If Psalm 22 is not Messianic, then what Psalm will be Messianic?
2. Psalms 22 is quoted in the Gospels in reference to the crucifixion
   1. Matthew 27:39 an allusion to Psalm 22:7
   2. Matthew 27:43 quotes Psalm 22:8
   3. Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 quotes Psalm 22:1
   4. John 19:24 quotes Psalm 22:18
   5. John 19:28 mentioned that Scripture needs to be fulfilled, that of Psalm 22:14-15.
3. Psalms 22 is quoted referring to Christ in the New Testament: Hebrews 2:12 quotes Psalm 22:22 and attribute it to Christ.

Picture: I work at Hollywood as a security guard for many premiere and during one event, I stopped a lady at the red carpet because she lacked any credentials on her. I was surprised she did not have any identification on her, and then my manager got on the radio and told me she was okay, because she was the main star of the movie.  I obeyed the orders, and I was told to look behind me, that the main star of the movie was her!  I look back and up on the roof was a picture of her, in a huge billboard!  Sometimes, those in front of us can help point back to the major clue we missed behind us.  Likewise, the New Testament identify Jesus as the prophecied suffering Messiah in Psalm 22.

Practical Application: As a Christian, you should be encouraged that the New Testament identify who it is that fulfills Psalm 22. You should be reassured that Jesus is the prophecied Messiah.  Your faith in Him should grow more certain!

 

Transition: The New Testament might assure Christians, but what about to unbelieving Jews?  What does Psalm 22 says to the Jews?

 

2. Psalms 22 points to Jesus, and therefore is not about David or Esther.

Proof:

1. Some of the circumstances never occurred to David or Esther.
   1. If some of these events did not occur in David’s own life, then he is probably not talking about himself.
   2. Likewise, if these events did not occur in Esther’s life, it was probably not talking about Esther.
   3. These circumstances that never occurred in their lives are:
      1. They pierced His hands and feet (16c)
      2. They divided His garments (18a)
      3. They cast lots for His clothes (18b)
2. Ridiculousness when Jewish Rabbi say this points to Esther
   1. Rabbinic Judiasm believe Psalm 22 is future
   2. In verse 9, the text tells us “you made me trust upon my mother’s breast”
   3. According to the Jewish rabbinic tradition, verse 9 alludes to “when Mordecai adopted the new-born Esther, he could not find a wet nurse for her. Hashem miraculously caused milk to gush forth from Mordecai’s own breasts and he nursed her as the Megillah relates, ‘And he was a nurse for Hadassah, she is Esther, his cousin, for she had no father and not mother.’” (Talmud, Shabbos 53b)
   4. This is a heavily superstitious way of twisting the text, and is indicative of the folly in attributing this Psalm to Esther.
3. There was never a point where all the circumstances occurred simultaneously at the same time during David’s life time or Esther’s lifetime.
   1. There are eighteen circumstances between verses 6 through 18.
      1. A reproach of men and despised by the people (v.6b)
      2. Sneered at (v.7a)
      3. People shake their heads at him (v. 7b)
      4. Mocked by having people say things such as let God deliver him and God rescue him (v.8)
      5. Surrounded and encircled (v.12)
      6. Those that surround Him are evildoers (v.16a-b)
      7. People open their mouths against Him (v.13)
      8. He feels like He is being poured out (v.14a)
      9. All His bones are out of joint (v.14b)
      10. His heart is like wax and melted (v.14c)
      11. His strength is dried up (v.15a)
      12. His tongue cleaves to His jaw (v.15b)
      13. He lay in the dust of death (v.15c)
      14. They pierced His hands and feet (v.16c)
      15. He can count all His bones (v.17a)
      16. People are staring at Him (v.17b)
      17. They divided His garments (v.18a)
      18. They cast lots for His clothes (v.18b)
   2. Yet, this occur in Jesus life during the crucifixion

Picture: If you have ever played the game of Clue, the key to winning the game is that based upon the clues provided, you find the answer of who was the suspect by a process of elimination. Process of elimination is helpful in removing who is not the person you are looking for.

Practical Application: Similarly, by way of process of elimination from the clues provided in Psalm 22, the text can not be talking about David or Esther. You need to realize that the list of who can fulfill Psalm 22 is not as easy or as many as some may think!  You need to appreciate how wonderful God’s revelation is, in pointing out who is the true Messiah!

 

Transition: While Esther and David does not fit the evidence, what about Jesus? Does He fit?

 

3. Psalms 22 points to Jesus, and fits with Jesus perfectly

Proof

1. The irony of the circumstance fits who Jesus was
   1. He is abandoned (v.1-2), yet trusts in God (v.3-5)
   2. He is abused about his faith, yet is loved by God from birth (v.9-10)
      1. The mocking of the guy’s relationship with God occur despite the guy having trust in God upon His mother’s breast (v. 9)
      2. This occur despite God being His God since He was in the womb (v.10)
      3. WHO ELSE HAS A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THAT EARLY?
2. Some of the circumstances are outside of David’s and Jesus human control and is not just something that can be fulfilled by brute force.
   1. A reproach of men and despised by the people (v.6b)
   2. Sneered at (v.7a)
   3. People shake their heads at him (v. 7b)
   4. Mocked by having people say things such as let God deliver him and God rescue him (v.8)
   5. Surrounded and encircled (v.12)
      1. Those that surround Him are evildoers (v.16a-b)
   6. People open their mouths against Him (v.13)
   7. People are staring at Him (v.17b)
   8. They divided His garments (v.18a)
   9. They cast lots for His clothes (v.18b)

Picture: Jesus fits, like a perfect glove.

Practical Application: The evidence demands a verdict, that Jesus is the Messiah. Your hope in Jesus can be secured

 

4. Psalms 22 points to all people will praise God

Proof

1. From the negativity of v.1-21, to praise in verse 22
   1. Suddenly the individual is before the assembly (‘Ekklessia’) praising God (v.22)
   2. One day, Israel will also praise Him (v.23)
      1. Note: “Descendants of Jacob”
      2. Note: “Descendants of Israel”
      3. The reason is found in verse 24
         1. God has answered the cry for Help
         2. God has heard the cry
   3. One day, all people will praise Him
      1. See verse 27, of all the ends of the earths and all the families of the nations
      2. See verse 28, nations
      3. Earth mentioned, verse 29
2. Why the sudden shift to praise?
   1. Some people believe this is two psalms merge together, but why is ultimately allowed by God to be one? What is the continuation?
   2. People in the future will even told of a “thing”
      1. Told of the Lord to the coming generation (v.30)
      2. People yet to be born (v.31)
      3. Something related to the Lord’s righteousness (v.31)
   3. People in the future will even told of a “thing”
      1. Something related to the Lord’s righteousness (v.31)
      2. “that He has done it” (v.31)

Conclusion: I was evangelizing many years ago at UCLA, and we always run into Jewish nonbelievers.  One in particular, asked me about the Scriptures.  It was a breath of fresh air, to see a Jew that asked about the Scriptures rather than just being atheistic and philosophical.  It stretched my faith, reflecting on whether Jesus is the Messiah.  Yet, as a result, my faith was reassured because of what the New Testament teaches.  My faith was reassured when I realize that no one else could fulfill the prophecies.  My faith was reassured when the data of the prophecies fits Jesus perfectly.  And I was reassured in my faith, when the Jewish guy came back week after week, after talking to his rabbi and told us one day, that he believed Jesus was the Jewish Messiah.  Knowing why Jesus is the true Messiah is not a vain academic pursuit, eternal destiny hangs in the balance, and heaven rejoices when God uses us to share this truth.