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[0:00] Well, good morning again as we're continuing our message series on the cross as we're getting ready to come up to the Sunday we look at as the Resurrection Sunday.

[0:12] And we are going to be looking this morning in the book of Psalms, Psalm 22, verses 1 through 8 primarily. We're going to be looking at a number of verses this morning, but our text is Psalm 22, verses 1 through 8.

[0:29] And it's a little bit of a different psalm. It's a psalm of David. And as David is writing these words, there are those commentators who look at the background, look at this particular psalm.

[0:46] And there's some speculation that it may be concerning a couple of different events. It could be one of a couple of different events that happened during David's life.

[0:57] Others say there's really no place they can really pinpoint where David would have written this about himself. But we do know, and just about everyone agrees, that primarily this psalm points future to the Savior, to the words that Jesus would say on the cross when he says, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

[1:27] And this is what we see in Psalm 22. As a matter of fact, Charles Spurgeon, a great preacher of a number of years ago, commented on the opening of this psalm.

[1:39] And he says, This is most clearly the psalm of the cross. And almost all commentators agree that it may have had a fulfillment in the time of David, that it was something David was speaking about, talking about how he felt.

[1:56] Now, there is no, this is not what Bible scholars call any imprecatory prayers, meaning David didn't say, Oh, God, I'm a sinner, and forgive me, because primarily this is Jesus that is speaking here.

[2:13] But it may have been referring to some of the lament David had during his time with his enemies. But secondly, what Spurgeon says, It is a photograph of our Lord's darkest hours.

[2:30] And think about that time on the cross, where there was darkness over the entire span of things for that period of time while Jesus hung on the cross.

[2:41] In the darkness, Jesus cries out those words. And our best translation, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

[2:53] And Jesus is feeling in the depth of his soul this separation that he was experiencing because God was not able to look upon the sin of mankind that was laid upon him at that time.

[3:07] And then thirdly, one of the things that Spurgeon says is, Oh, for grace to draw near and see this great sight. Let's read it for ourselves.

[3:18] Psalm 22, verse 1, where David says, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me and from the words of my groaning?

[3:30] Oh, my God, I cry in the daytime. But you do not hear and in the night season and am not silent. But you are wholly enthroned in the praises of Israel.

[3:46] Our fathers trusted you. They trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were delivered. They trusted in you and were not ashamed.

[3:59] Verse 6, But I am a worm and no man, a reproach of men, and despised by the people. And as we look forward to what Jesus is experiencing, Jesus left the glory of heaven to become a human being.

[4:20] And upon Jesus Christ on the cross was poured all of the sin of mankind. And he bore our sin on the cross and was treated as nothing.

[4:32] Despised by the people. Verse 7, All those who see me ridicule me. They shoot out the lip. They shake the head, saying, He trusted in the Lord.

[4:46] Let him rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. And there were those around the cross that were saying, If you are God, why don't you come down from the cross?

[5:01] You can work that miracle if you are who you claim you are. Let's pray. Father, this morning, please help us to catch a glimpse of the magnitude of what took place there on the cross of Calvary as the one who knew no sin took upon himself our sin and was forsaken on our behalf so that we would not be forsaken.

[5:29] Father, teach us this morning, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. And so all those many years ago, David hears through the Holy Spirit that forth saying from the cross where Jesus says, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

[5:47] We see that in Psalm 22, 1, Matthew 27, 46, and Mark 15, 34. We hear not only what David wrote in the psalm, but also what Jesus said there on the cross.

[6:01] And the fourth words of Jesus on the cross were prophesied many, many years ago and were ultimately spoken by Jesus. Also, Spurgeon says this, To what extreme grief was our master driven?

[6:19] Think about the grief and think about the agony that he was suffering that would drive him to say that to God. Why have you forsaken me?

[6:30] God, why have you turned your back on me? And it was a rhetorical question because Jesus knew why, but in the agony that he was sensing there on the cross, it was what he was driven to say, and it was what David had prophesied many, many years before.

[6:50] And as Martin Luther wrote of this, God, forsaken of God, who can understand that? Think about it.

[7:00] That Jesus would have to do what he did in order to accomplish our salvation as we are preparing to make our way to that resurrection morning where we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

[7:16] Yes, that's the glory part. Yes, that's the part that makes our, that we see that God was satisfied with the payment of Jesus on the cross of Calvary, but Jesus had to go through the darkest hour before he could see the dawn.

[7:32] And as I read those words again of Martin Luther, God, forsaken of God. Who can understand that? Let's look at why Jesus was forsaken.

[7:46] The first reason that I can see that Jesus was forsaken was that we might never be. Christ was forsaken of God for that span of a few hours when there was darkness upon the earth.

[8:02] God turned his back because he could not see. He would not look upon our sin while Jesus was dying on the cross in our place. Jesus took that. Jesus experienced that being forsaken for that short period of time so that we might never be forsaken.

[8:21] This is a cry to his faithful father. He said, my God, my God. So he was crying out to his heavenly father. And one thing that we can know for sure today, that our heavenly father hears our cries today when we cry out to him during our dark days.

[8:41] Because not only was Jesus experiencing a dark time in his life, we also experience those dark days as well. And God hears us when we cry out to him.

[8:52] We think of the experience of Israel. Look at how many times Israel forsook their God. And look at how often, every time, God heard them and God ultimately came for their rescue.

[9:05] God would slay their enemies. God would restore them. God tired of Israel and said, I'm going to annihilate every one of them. Moses said, God, don't do that.

[9:17] I even regret creating them. And Moses and others had pleaded with God. God, don't do that. Remember.

[9:29] And so God chose to come to their rescue. God will come to our aid during our darkest time. And we all go through times every now and then of questioning.

[9:40] Questioning why. Questioning what. Questioning where. Questioning who. And God is available. God is one who can come to our aid, come to our rescue.

[9:53] And think about it this way. Jesus understands our questioning times. I don't care how strong of a faith we have.

[10:04] There have been times. Or get this. There will be times. In your life where you will question your heavenly father.

[10:17] You say, pastor, I would never do that. Yeah. Yeah, right. And it may not be that you reject God. But it may be that God, why?

[10:28] God, I don't understand this. God, is there no other way? And think about it. If Jesus himself could question his father. God, if there's any other way that we can accomplish this for mankind.

[10:44] I'm up for the idea right now. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. God, if there's any other way. Let this cup pass from me. My God, my God. Why? Have you forsaken me?

[10:56] So when we question, we know that Jesus has already questioned his heavenly father. But just like David, over and over and over again in the Psalms, he remembers.

[11:08] God, you've made it. You've come through in the past. You're going to come through again this time. So we know that God cares for us. There are times when we may wonder if God really cares.

[11:21] Maybe it's during a time of health scare. Or maybe losing a loved one. Or losing a job.

[11:32] Losing a fortune. Whatever it is. There may be times where we wonder if God really cares for us. And we may say, well, God, why? God, how? Well, understand this.

[11:44] Our Lord knows how we feel. He knows what it's like to be forsaken. He knows what it's like to hurt. He knows what it's like to be hungry. He knows what it's like to be wrongly accused.

[11:56] That happens. That happens sometimes at work. That happens sometimes in the family. Sometimes it happens in the neighborhood. Jesus, excuse me, Jesus experienced that as well.

[12:07] And we can be sure that he will never forsake us. So let's take a look at Hebrews 13, 5. Hebrews 13 and 5. Let your conduct be without covetousness.

[12:19] Be content with such things as you have. For he himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So in the way that we deal with one another, he says, don't deal with covetousness.

[12:36] Be content with what you have. Because know this. God will never forsake us. God will never leave us lacking what he knows we need.

[12:47] Secondly, the second reason that we look at what Jesus experienced there on the cross. Why was he forsaken? Christ suffered alone.

[12:59] He was the one hanging on the cross. He suffered alone that we might never be alone. Why have you forsaken me is the question.

[13:10] And what Jesus did was he took the place of sinners. He took my place. And he took your place. Separated from God for that period of time, he bore every punishment due sinners.

[13:26] Even abandonment. Because what is the penalty of sin? Well, the wages of sin is death, which is eternal separation from God. And imagine this.

[13:36] Only an eternal God could suffer and pay an eternal debt for mankind. He who knew no sin became sin for us.

[13:50] He had no sin, so therefore he could justly satisfy the wrath of God for every man. And just as Adam acted as the representative, as we call it the federal head of mankind, meaning he acted as the representative of the entire human race when he disobeyed God.

[14:13] And so then death comes by sin. And in the same way, the Bible says Jesus, just like Adam, one man took the penalty of sin for the entire world.

[14:26] And so through Christ, we're able to receive the gift of eternal life. He bore every punishment for us. This prophesied cry was made from the darkness of Calvary.

[14:41] Let's look at Matthew 27, 45. Now, from the sixth hour until the ninth hour, there was darkness over all the land. Transport yourself in your mind.

[14:56] Back to Calvary. Darkness. Daytime.

[15:08] Total darkness. And then you hear the agonized breathing. Jesus on the cross. Lifting himself on the cross.

[15:20] So he can take a breath. Or so he can breathe. Lifting himself up on the cross where we can get enough breath.

[15:33] And then you hear, my God. My God. Why? Have you forsaken me? Makes my skin crawl.

[15:44] Just to hear those words. Imagine that. How frightening to be alone in the dark. But how frightening to be alone in the universe.

[15:57] As Jesus was at that point in time. His disciples had left him. Almost most all of his disciples had left him. Our solitary, suffering Savior endured the darkness that we deserve.

[16:19] Because what is eternal punishment going to consist of? Darkness. Darkness. And wailing. And gnashing of teeth. Like a fire is going to be.

[16:31] You won't be able to see anybody. People said, oh, it's going to be a party. I'm going to where my friends are. Well, do they realize the Bible says? They will be in total darkness. They will see no one.

[16:42] While hearing the cries of others. It is. Our solitary, suffering Savior endured this. So, he endured this darkness that we deserve.

[16:55] And as we compare this promise for dark days. I will not leave you comfortless. Let's look at John 14. 18. John 14, verse 18 says. I will not leave you orphans.

[17:06] I will not leave you alone. Is the promise of our Savior. He says. I will come to you. Jesus, the forsaken one, said.

[17:17] He will never forsake us. He said. He will never leave us alone. And then when we look at Matthew 28. 20. When Jesus, before he left his disciples.

[17:31] As he said. What they were to be doing. Making disciples. Teaching them to observe all things. That I have commanded you. And he says. I am with you always. Even to the end of the age.

[17:44] He was forsaken. That we would never be forsaken. He suffered alone in the darkness. That we would never be alone. He would always be with us. And then thirdly.

[17:56] Jesus was forsaken. And suffered reproach. So that we might be redeemed. So that we might be redeemed. David.

[18:08] The psalmist. Wrote. I am a worm. A reproach of man. Obviously speaking. Forward. To Jesus. He was a reproach of men.

[18:20] They. Wagged their tongue. As they. Passed by the cross. And said. Oh. He deserved that. Oh. I thought he was God. Oh. I thought. And on and on and on.

[18:31] They made fun. Of the Savior. Hanging there. On the cross. Despised. Of. People. Psalm 22. Six. But I am a worm. And no man.

[18:42] A reproach of men. Despised. By the people. Isn't that a. Picture. As. Spurgeon said. A photograph. Of. The. Suffering of Jesus.

[18:53] On the cross. All they that see me. Laugh me to scorn. Verse seven. Though all those who see me. Ridicule me. They shoot out the lip.

[19:05] They shake the head. Saying. And so what they. What they're see. What we're seeing is. Jesus being ridiculed. There. Hanging. Forsaken.

[19:16] On the cross. On our behalf. And here's what. The humiliation of Jesus Christ accomplished. It made our salvation. Secure. Let's look at Philippians two.

[19:29] Five through eight. Let this. Mind. Be in you. Let this. Attitude. Be in you. Which was also. In. Christ. Jesus. Who.

[19:40] Being in the form. Of God. Did not consider it. Robbery. To be equal. With God. He didn't. Look at. His glory. In heaven. As something. That was to be.

[19:51] Grasped. Or. Held. On to. Did not consider it. Robbery. To be equal. With God. But. Made himself. Of no reputation. He humiliated himself.

[20:01] Lord himself. Taking the form of a bond servant. And coming. In the likeness. Of men. And being found. In appearance.

[20:12] As a man. He humbled himself. And became obedient. To the point of death. Even. The death. Of. The cross. He made himself. Of no reputation.

[20:24] For our. Redemption. And Jesus. Died. On the cross. Of Calvary. So that we might have. Eternal life. So as we see.

[20:37] In these. First. Eight verses. Of the 22nd Psalm. We see a picture. Of our suffering. Savior. The forsaken one.

[20:50] Who was. Forsaken. That we might never be forsaken. Who suffered alone. So that we would never be alone.

[21:03] And. We also see. As the Savior. Who. Suffered reproach. So that we might be. Redeemed. Jesus accomplished.

[21:14] All of this. For us. For us. And I know. As we celebrate. On the Sunday morning. Resurrection Sunday. Exciting.

[21:25] To think about. The resurrection of Christ. But my. What Jesus had to endure. To get there. He did it for us. The two questions. How will we respond.

[21:36] To such love. God. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. And then secondly. Will you live for the one. Who died for you. Father this morning.

[21:49] We get. We have gathered together in your holy name. We honor you. We thank you for. Being who you are. Dear God.

[22:02] We. We praise you. For being a loving God. Who demonstrated. His love toward us. In that while we were still sinners. Sent.

[22:13] His only begotten son. To die on the cross. In our place. Father. Please be with us this morning. As you. As you. You encourage us. To live a life.

[22:25] That says thank you. To always be. Mindful of what. Was accomplished. And what. Our savior suffered. On our behalf.

[22:37] So Lord. I pray that you help us. As we go through our. Daily life. As we. Glorify your name. By loving others.

[22:48] May we make a difference. In the lives. Of others. May others see. Jesus. Through us. May you multiply. Your word.

[23:02] You help us. To be. Naming the name of Jesus. As we go. In our homes. As we rise up. As we go to bed. As we sit down.

[23:13] As we walk around. Lord God. May your name be on our lips. Dear father. May we. Accomplish. That for which. You have chosen us.

[23:23] That for which. You have saved us. May you work through us. To accomplish your purpose. Here on planet earth. As long as you leave us here. Father. May we be serving you. And working for you.

[23:36] Lord. May we thank you. For each one. Here this morning. Father. We thank you for. For the galleon.

[23:46] Who's come this morning. And. Presented. The Gideon ministry. We pray that. As we prepare. To receive. The special Gideon.

[23:57] Offering. That. You will. Be with each one. Who would give. And bless. This. Offering given. To multiply. Your word. Locally. We pray.

[24:08] Lord God. As well. That you would look. That you would multiply. Your word. Around the world. To those. Who need. To hear of you. To hear the. The message. Of good news.

[24:19] Of salvation. Bless us. This day. May we honor you. And glorify you. In all that we do. We would come back together.

[24:29]  This evening. We pray this. In Jesus name. Amen.