Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.
From the cross, Jesus cries out the opening of Psalm 22. It has become a traditional text for Good Friday, as we reflect upon or re-enact some of the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection. To make a brief scholarly note, there is credible evidence that in many instances an author will give us just the start of a quotation but in real life the person actually said the entirety of the work. So it is possible that Jesus spoke all of Psalm 22. His Jewish hearers certainly knew the rest of it.
Many of the events recorded in Psalm 22 fit what we know of crucifixion, and particularly of Jesus' experience. The people mocked him. They said God would have to rescue him. He was thirsty. He was surrounded by "dogs" - non-Israelites. They took his clothes and cast lots for them.
We remember that many of these actions were performed by Romans who would not have know of the Psalm.
What of the rest of the Psalm? Verses 27 and following speak of God being the one to whom all nations turn, who rules, who rescues his people. This is the mighty God of all, the one who takes on suffering himself so as to save His people.
God has no forsaken us. He has come to rescue us.
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