DAY 3: Psalm 22-the suffering servant
REFLECTION
We don’t know what David experienced that gave rise to this Psalm. But this Psalm offers an unfiltered window into the suffering of Jesus. Perhaps he meditated on it during those hours of agony while he was crucified.
He prays ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (v.1) from the cross. The mockery of verse 7 is seen in Matt 27:39. The unbroken bones yet pierced hands and feet (v. 16-17). The dividing and casting lots for his clothes is described in John 19:24. The closing words of the Psalm, “He has done it!’ echo the cry “It is finished” from the cross (John 19:30)
Jesus dies as our substitute. He takes the punishment we deserve for our sin and selfishness. His death means we have life. The fruit of Christ’s suffering and victory in the church of Christ from every nation (v.27-28)
We, too, will feel forsaken and abandoned at certain times of our lives. We often struggle with the question, ‘if God were really with me, would this be happening?’ Where is his fatherly care in times of loss, sickness, and pain?
This Psalm give us words to use in these times. But we must also see that God has not left us. Jesus was the only person truly forsaken by God on our behalf, so that we are never forsaken or left alone.
GOSPEL READING
Mark 15:22-39: (NIV)
22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.
27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28] [a] 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What pain or confusion do you need to bring honestly to God
How does the suffering of Jesus reshape the way you understand your own wounds
Where is God inviting you to trust Him without receiving all the answers
PRACTICING SURRENDER
Write a brief lament (Crying out to God, being honest about our struggle, and declaring our trust in God and acknowledging He is with you).
Name your griefs clearly. Read Mark’s account again. End by writing, “You know my sorrow, and you are with me.”
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.
