1,000 Years Before the Cross

Written around 1,000 years before the birth of Christ, Psalm 22 reads less like a psalm and more like an eyewitness account of the crucifixion. It begins with the very words Jesus cried from the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1). It describes His hands and feet being pierced (v16), His bones being on display (v17), and even soldiers casting lots for His clothing (v18), centuries before crucifixion had even become a Roman method of execution. The psalm also records the mocking of the crowd: "He trusts in the Lord… let the Lord rescue him" (vv 7-8), words echoed almost exactly by those standing beneath the cross (Matthew 27:43). This is not a vague prediction that could fit almost anyone. It is a remarkable collection of details that converge in one person, Jesus Christ. Psalm 22 reminds us that the cross was never God's backup plan. It was part of His plan all along. The suffering of Christ was foretold long before it happened, so that when it did, we would know that Jesus truly is the promised Messiah. The greatest question isn't whether Psalm 22 was fulfilled. It's whether you have recognised the One who fulfilled it. (Craig B). Open Bible – bit.ly/psal22, bit.ly/Psa22v1, bit.ly/Mat27v43