Psalm 22 (NIV)

“Eloi Eloi, lema sabachthani!” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The words of Jesus as his life poured from his body on the cross... Some who were watching thought he was calling out to the prophet Elijah, and they waited to see if Elijah would come to save him… Others, centuries later, have focused on the idea of Jesus being forsaken by the Father, and whole theologies have been born from this idea. But when we read that Jesus quoted the first line of Psalm 22 with his dying breath, maybe we should take a deeper look at the psalm itself…

This psalm is attributed to King David and is set up as a song to be sung corporately, to a well-known tune. It was written in first person but sets its declarations within a context of “the great assembly.” The speaker has a deeply personal, intimate experience of connection with God—from the womb there is trust and belonging. But alongside it he experiences horrific abuse and violence, and in that place of suffering he calls out to his God, remembering the history of his people—their cries for deliverance from Egypt and the faithfulness of God to rescue them.

As you listen to the psalm read aloud, try to enter in with your imagination. Stand at the foot of the cross and hear these words as you know they are in Jesus’ mind. Step into the story... and behold your savior.

----------REFLECT----------

1. What stood out to you in the passage?

2. Where in this passage did you see Jesus?

3. Jesus' afflictions on the cross bear both the evil we’ve done and the evil that has been done to us, in him we are forgiven and healed, redeemed and restored. How does this reality comfort you on this Good Friday?

----------GO DEEPER----------

Matthew 27:11-61 >>

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