1. Jesus himself testified to his coming resurrection from the dead.
Jesus spoke openly about what would happen to him: crucifixion and then resurrection from the dead. “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31; see also Matthew 17:22; Luke 9:22). Those who consider the resurrection of Christ unbelievable will probably say that Jesus was deluded or (more likely) that the early church put these statements in his mouth to make him teach the falsehood that they themselves conceived. But those who read the Gospels and come to the considered conviction that the one who speaks so compellingly through these witnesses is not the figment of foolish imagination will be unsatisfied with this effort to explain away Jesus’ own testimony to his resurrection from the dead.
This is especially true in view of the fact that the words which predict the resurrection are not only the simple straightforward words quoted above, but also the very oblique and indirect words which are far less likely to be the simple invention of deluded disciples. For example, two separate witnesses testify in two very different ways to Jesus’ statement during his lifetime that if his enemies destroyed the temple (of his body), he would build it again in three days (John 2:19; Mark 14:58; cf. Matthew 26:61). He also spoke illusively of the “sign of Jonah” ? three days in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:39; 16:4). And he hinted at it again in Matthew 21:42 ? “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.” On top of his own witness to the coming resurrection, his accusers said that this was part of Jesus’ claim: “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise’” (Matthew 27:63).
Our first evidence of the resurrection, therefore, is that Jesus himself spoke of it. The breadth and nature of the sayings make it unlikely that a deluded church made these up. And the character of Jesus himself, revealed in these witnesses, has not been judged by most people to be a lunatic or a deceiver.
2. The tomb was empty on Easter.
The earliest documents claim this: “When they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus” (Luke 24:3). And the enemies of Jesus confirmed it by claiming that the disciples had stolen the body (Matthew 28:13). The dead body of Jesus could not be found. There are four possible ways to account for this.
2.1 His foes stole the body. If they did (and they never claimed to have done so), they surely would have produced the body to stop the successful spread of the Christian faith in the very city where the crucifixion occurred. But they could not produce it.
2.2 His friends stole the body. This was an early rumor (Matthew 28:11-15). Is it probable? Could they have overcome the guards at the tomb? More important, would they have begun to preach with such authority that Jesus was raised, knowing that he was not? Would they have risked their lives and accepted beatings for something they knew was a fraud?
2.3 Jesus was not dead, but only unconscious when they laid him in the tomb. He awoke, removed the stone, overcame the soldiers, and vanished from history after a few meetings with his disciples in which he convinced them he was risen from the dead. Even the foes of Jesus did not try this line. He was obviously dead. The Romans saw to that. The stone could not be moved by one man from within who had just been stabbed in the side by a spear and spent six hours nailed to a cross.
2.4 God raised Jesus from the dead. This is what he said would happen. It is what the disciples said did happen. But as long as there is a remote possibility of explaining the resurrection naturalistically, modern people say we should not jump to a supernatural explanation. Is this reasonable? I don’t think so. Of course, we don’t want to be gullible. But neither do we want to reject the truth just because it’s strange. We need to be aware that our commitments at this point are much affected by our preferences ? either for the state of affairs that would arise from the truth of the resurrection, or for the state of affairs that would arise from the falsehood of the resurrection. If the message of Jesus has opened you to the reality of God and the need of forgiveness, for example, then anti-supernatural dogma might lose its power over your mind. Could it be that this openness is not prejudice for the resurrection, but freedom from prejudice against it?
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Easter and the Secular Mind [Part One]
Acts 25-26
I'm going to tell you an Easter story this morning about a man you probably don't know much about. When I tell you his name, you're going to think of something else, and some of you are going to think I'm just making it up.
But I'm not. This man is in the New Testament. And what he said and did has everything to do with Easter Sunday.
The man's name is... well, I'll wait a second on that. Let's put some other pieces of the puzzle together first. The year is A.D. 60. The place is Caesarea on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This man has come to Caesarea to take over for his mostly-inept predecessor as the governor of the Roman province of Judea. The situation is tense and unsettled, for the Jews were a fractious bunch not noted for the art of gentle submission. As this man sets up shop in Caesarea he has one basic goal: Keep the peace, keep the lid on, don't let things boil over. It's not easy because already powerful winds of revolution are blowing across the land.
The man hardly steps off the boat from Italy when he runs into his first problem. There's a fellow in prison in Caesarea. Seems he did something to upset the Jewish leaders. Well, upset is hardly the right word. They want this fellow dead. It's all vague and confusing. And so three days?just three days?after he takes office he makes the 60 mile trip to Jerusalem to pay his respects to the Sanhedrin and also to find out why they are so hot after this fellow in jail. The man in jail was named Paul. He had been there for two years. And lucky to be alive, frankly.
The other man the new governor?will shortly hear from this fellow Paul. The governor's name? Festus. I told you it would make you think of something else. But it's all there in Acts 25-26. More about that in a few minutes.
I'm going to tell you an Easter story this morning about a man you probably don't know much about. When I tell you his name, you're going to think of something else, and some of you are going to think I'm just making it up.
But I'm not. This man is in the New Testament. And what he said and did has everything to do with Easter Sunday.
The man's name is... well, I'll wait a second on that. Let's put some other pieces of the puzzle together first. The year is A.D. 60. The place is Caesarea on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This man has come to Caesarea to take over for his mostly-inept predecessor as the governor of the Roman province of Judea. The situation is tense and unsettled, for the Jews were a fractious bunch not noted for the art of gentle submission. As this man sets up shop in Caesarea he has one basic goal: Keep the peace, keep the lid on, don't let things boil over. It's not easy because already powerful winds of revolution are blowing across the land.
The man hardly steps off the boat from Italy when he runs into his first problem. There's a fellow in prison in Caesarea. Seems he did something to upset the Jewish leaders. Well, upset is hardly the right word. They want this fellow dead. It's all vague and confusing. And so three days?just three days?after he takes office he makes the 60 mile trip to Jerusalem to pay his respects to the Sanhedrin and also to find out why they are so hot after this fellow in jail. The man in jail was named Paul. He had been there for two years. And lucky to be alive, frankly.
The other man the new governor?will shortly hear from this fellow Paul. The governor's name? Festus. I told you it would make you think of something else. But it's all there in Acts 25-26. More about that in a few minutes.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Galatians 6 [ Bear One Another's Burdens )
1.Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness ; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
2.Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
3.For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4.But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
5.For each one will bear his own load.
6.The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.
7.Do not be deceived, God is not mocked ; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
8.For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9.Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
10.So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
11.See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
2.Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
3.For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4.But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
5.For each one will bear his own load.
6.The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.
7.Do not be deceived, God is not mocked ; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
8.For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9.Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
10.So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
11.See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Easter Trilogy: 3: Easter Day
Tell me, sir, where is my Lord, for they have taken him away,
Said Mary Magdalene before the dawning of the day,
And I know not where they've laid him, - sir, with him what have you done?
Mary, soft said the risen Christ and Everlasting Sun.
A week ago they raised for me the great 'Hosanna' cry -
These were the men who not long since condemn'd this Man to die -
But I have conquered Death, and I have gained for Man the key
To everlasting joy for him beyond eternity.
Behold, mankind, what God will dare to undertake for you;
What Man will undertake - the selfsame Man that mankind slew:
Behold the wonder: Christ rose after suff'ring cross and scourge:
The work of none but God, a most Almighty Thaumaturge.
Despair no more, O man, for your scarce revocable loss
Has been atoned: 'twas not for Christ Christ died upon a cross:
Hear Jesus' words, listen to them: 'Poor sinner, follow me
To everlasting life, my friend, for I have made you free.'
Said Mary Magdalene before the dawning of the day,
And I know not where they've laid him, - sir, with him what have you done?
Mary, soft said the risen Christ and Everlasting Sun.
A week ago they raised for me the great 'Hosanna' cry -
These were the men who not long since condemn'd this Man to die -
But I have conquered Death, and I have gained for Man the key
To everlasting joy for him beyond eternity.
Behold, mankind, what God will dare to undertake for you;
What Man will undertake - the selfsame Man that mankind slew:
Behold the wonder: Christ rose after suff'ring cross and scourge:
The work of none but God, a most Almighty Thaumaturge.
Despair no more, O man, for your scarce revocable loss
Has been atoned: 'twas not for Christ Christ died upon a cross:
Hear Jesus' words, listen to them: 'Poor sinner, follow me
To everlasting life, my friend, for I have made you free.'
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Clock Is Ticking
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
—Luke 12:21
A watchmaker who built grandfather clocks inscribed these words on every clock he built: “Lo, here I stand by thee upright to give thee warning day and night, for every tick that I do click cuts short the time thou hast to live.” It reminds us that our life is like a vapor of smoke that appears for a moment and then vanishes away.
Jesus told the story of a rich man who enjoyed great success. Reflecting on his accomplishments, he said, “I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store everything. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, ‘My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!’ ” (Luke 12:18–19). But God told him, “You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?” (verse 20).
We can find some commendable things about this rich man. He was a hardworking farmer. He probably would have had to work longer and get up earlier and expend more energy than the other farmers of his day to achieve such success.
But his mistake was not being successful in his work. His mistake was not even acquiring possessions. His mistake was failing to make plans for eternity. He was living large. But he forgot the clock was ticking, that life was passing by.
And this man who died, leaving all his possessions behind, is like many people today. They just want to enjoy the moment. “Take it easy!” they say. “Eat, drink, and be merry!” Yet God says that is not the way to live.
—Luke 12:21
A watchmaker who built grandfather clocks inscribed these words on every clock he built: “Lo, here I stand by thee upright to give thee warning day and night, for every tick that I do click cuts short the time thou hast to live.” It reminds us that our life is like a vapor of smoke that appears for a moment and then vanishes away.
Jesus told the story of a rich man who enjoyed great success. Reflecting on his accomplishments, he said, “I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store everything. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, ‘My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!’ ” (Luke 12:18–19). But God told him, “You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?” (verse 20).
We can find some commendable things about this rich man. He was a hardworking farmer. He probably would have had to work longer and get up earlier and expend more energy than the other farmers of his day to achieve such success.
But his mistake was not being successful in his work. His mistake was not even acquiring possessions. His mistake was failing to make plans for eternity. He was living large. But he forgot the clock was ticking, that life was passing by.
And this man who died, leaving all his possessions behind, is like many people today. They just want to enjoy the moment. “Take it easy!” they say. “Eat, drink, and be merry!” Yet God says that is not the way to live.
Easter 2
Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
--Romans 14:1-3
How many times have you experienced church conflict? I’ve been witness to it before, and have even received letters from people saying, “The Easter holiday came out of old fertility rites. And that stuff about the bunny and egg—it’s just a pagan form of worship. Christians should never be involved!”
At the same time, I’ve received letters saying, “Easter is my favorite time of year because it’s an opportunity to exalt my risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I love Easter morning services and the worship time. Thank God for Easter!”
So, who’s right and who’s wrong? Outright sin is condemned in Scripture—no question about that. But there are certain issues, attitudes, and beliefs that are neither approved nor condemned in Scripture that can destroy the harmony and health of a body of believers.
In the church, the devil’s chief weapon is division. He loves to cause conflict among believers over non-essential issues. I’ve heard of churches dividing over applause during worship service, proper attire, music, or a painting hanging in the hallway of the building. When this happens, Satan gets his way once again.
Augustine, a great Christian of yesteryear said, “In essentials unity. In non-essentials liberty. In all things charity.” We must learn to let the non-essentials go, focus on the truths of God’s Word, and learn to unify with our brothers and sisters in Christ over the things that really matter.
--Romans 14:1-3
How many times have you experienced church conflict? I’ve been witness to it before, and have even received letters from people saying, “The Easter holiday came out of old fertility rites. And that stuff about the bunny and egg—it’s just a pagan form of worship. Christians should never be involved!”
At the same time, I’ve received letters saying, “Easter is my favorite time of year because it’s an opportunity to exalt my risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I love Easter morning services and the worship time. Thank God for Easter!”
So, who’s right and who’s wrong? Outright sin is condemned in Scripture—no question about that. But there are certain issues, attitudes, and beliefs that are neither approved nor condemned in Scripture that can destroy the harmony and health of a body of believers.
In the church, the devil’s chief weapon is division. He loves to cause conflict among believers over non-essential issues. I’ve heard of churches dividing over applause during worship service, proper attire, music, or a painting hanging in the hallway of the building. When this happens, Satan gets his way once again.
Augustine, a great Christian of yesteryear said, “In essentials unity. In non-essentials liberty. In all things charity.” We must learn to let the non-essentials go, focus on the truths of God’s Word, and learn to unify with our brothers and sisters in Christ over the things that really matter.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
PROPHETIC PRECISION OF CHRIST'S CRUCIFIXION
The awful details of His sufferings on the cross are portrayed graphically in the 22nd Psalm, written by David almost 1,100 years before its fulfillment.
The Psalm begins with the cry from the cross: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” The darkness is pictured. The mocking by the priests and others at the foot of the cross is described. The terrible bodily sufferings induced by the crucifixion process are recorded. The piercings of His hands and feet to receive the nails binding Him to the cross are mentioned. The stripping of His garments and gambling over their possession by the soldiers crucifying Him is predicted. His awful thirst is mentioned and even the vinegar which was offered to Him. The collapse of His heart cavity, leading to the strange emergence of mingled blood and water from His side, is suggested. The fact that, despite the intensity of His sufferings, none of His bones would be broken, is foretold. The piercing of His side is suggested. The wounds in His hands may also have been noted. There is no need for a detailed exposition of Psalm 22 here, but it is surely one of the most marvelous passages in all the Word of God, and will richly repay detailed and prayerful study by each individual Christian.
Psalm 22:1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Psalm 22:2 OMy God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent. Also Amos 8:9 “And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord God, “That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight;
Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
Psalm 22:7-8 All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 “ He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
Matthew 27:49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” Mark 15:29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
Psalm 22:14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.
Matthew 27:35a Then they crucified Him,
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. Psalm 69:21 They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
John 19:28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”
Psalm 22:16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;
Matthew 27:35a Then they crucified Him,
Psalm 22:17-18 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.
Matthew 27:35b Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Zechariah 13:6 And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Psalm 34:20 He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.
John 19:33, 36 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.”
The Psalm begins with the cry from the cross: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” The darkness is pictured. The mocking by the priests and others at the foot of the cross is described. The terrible bodily sufferings induced by the crucifixion process are recorded. The piercings of His hands and feet to receive the nails binding Him to the cross are mentioned. The stripping of His garments and gambling over their possession by the soldiers crucifying Him is predicted. His awful thirst is mentioned and even the vinegar which was offered to Him. The collapse of His heart cavity, leading to the strange emergence of mingled blood and water from His side, is suggested. The fact that, despite the intensity of His sufferings, none of His bones would be broken, is foretold. The piercing of His side is suggested. The wounds in His hands may also have been noted. There is no need for a detailed exposition of Psalm 22 here, but it is surely one of the most marvelous passages in all the Word of God, and will richly repay detailed and prayerful study by each individual Christian.
Psalm 22:1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Psalm 22:2 OMy God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent. Also Amos 8:9 “And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord God, “That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight;
Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
Psalm 22:7-8 All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 “ He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
Matthew 27:49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” Mark 15:29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
Psalm 22:14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.
Matthew 27:35a Then they crucified Him,
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. Psalm 69:21 They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
John 19:28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”
Psalm 22:16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;
Matthew 27:35a Then they crucified Him,
Psalm 22:17-18 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.
Matthew 27:35b Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Zechariah 13:6 And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Psalm 34:20 He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.
John 19:33, 36 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.”
PROPHETIC PRECISION OF CHRIST'S CRUCIFIXION
The awful details of His sufferings on the cross are portrayed graphically in the 22nd Psalm, written by David almost 1,100 years before its fulfillment.
The Psalm begins with the cry from the cross: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” The darkness is pictured. The mocking by the priests and others at the foot of the cross is described. The terrible bodily sufferings induced by the crucifixion process are recorded. The piercings of His hands and feet to receive the nails binding Him to the cross are mentioned. The stripping of His garments and gambling over their possession by the soldiers crucifying Him is predicted. His awful thirst is mentioned and even the vinegar which was offered to Him. The collapse of His heart cavity, leading to the strange emergence of mingled blood and water from His side, is suggested. The fact that, despite the intensity of His sufferings, none of His bones would be broken, is foretold. The piercing of His side is suggested. The wounds in His hands may also have been noted. There is no need for a detailed exposition of Psalm 22 here, but it is surely one of the most marvelous passages in all the Word of God, and will richly repay detailed and prayerful study by each individual Christian.
Psalm 22:1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Psalm 22:2 OMy God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent. Also Amos 8:9 “And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord God, “That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight;
Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
Psalm 22:7-8 All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 “ He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
Matthew 27:49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” Mark 15:29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
Psalm 22:14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.
Matthew 27:35a Then they crucified Him,
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. Psalm 69:21 They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
John 19:28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”
Psalm 22:16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;
Matthew 27:35a Then they crucified Him,
Psalm 22:17-18 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.
Matthew 27:35b Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Zechariah 13:6 And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Psalm 34:20 He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.
John 19:33, 36 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.”
The Psalm begins with the cry from the cross: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” The darkness is pictured. The mocking by the priests and others at the foot of the cross is described. The terrible bodily sufferings induced by the crucifixion process are recorded. The piercings of His hands and feet to receive the nails binding Him to the cross are mentioned. The stripping of His garments and gambling over their possession by the soldiers crucifying Him is predicted. His awful thirst is mentioned and even the vinegar which was offered to Him. The collapse of His heart cavity, leading to the strange emergence of mingled blood and water from His side, is suggested. The fact that, despite the intensity of His sufferings, none of His bones would be broken, is foretold. The piercing of His side is suggested. The wounds in His hands may also have been noted. There is no need for a detailed exposition of Psalm 22 here, but it is surely one of the most marvelous passages in all the Word of God, and will richly repay detailed and prayerful study by each individual Christian.
Psalm 22:1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Psalm 22:2 OMy God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent. Also Amos 8:9 “And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord God, “That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight;
Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
Psalm 22:7-8 All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 “ He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
Matthew 27:49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” Mark 15:29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
Psalm 22:14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.
Matthew 27:35a Then they crucified Him,
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. Psalm 69:21 They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
John 19:28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”
Psalm 22:16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;
Matthew 27:35a Then they crucified Him,
Psalm 22:17-18 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.
Matthew 27:35b Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Zechariah 13:6 And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Psalm 34:20 He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.
John 19:33, 36 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.”
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