Unit 1 LESSON 7

January 12, 2025

STUDY TEXT: Psalm 22:1-31; Matthew 27:1-66; John 20:24-29

CENTRAL TRUTH: Jesus' suffering is part of God's prophesied plan to heal the world.

KEY VERSE: Luke 24:26-27 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets; he [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (KJV). 

Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Mesiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory? Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

The Gospel accounts of Jesus' crucifixion are some of the most dramatic and gut-wrenching passages in all of Scriptures. One of the most challenging moments is when Jesus cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46). During our darkest times, we might be tempted to ask questions. Jesus can empathize. But because of His sacrifice, we are never truly alone. Psalm 22 is a messianic psalm of David that uniquely focuses on suffering and ultimate triumph. It's nearly impossible to read and analyze this psalm without considering Jesus' crucifixion. But we can understand it more deeply by considering its original context.

PART 1- Feeling Forsaken by the Father

David Felt abandoned           Psalm 22:1-3

David's words in psalm 22:1 resonate with Christians who have endured distress yet remain dedicated to God. The psalmist cry of anguish acknowledged his commitment to God while also lamenting his circumstances.  From David's perspective, reality seemed to contradict what he had learned about God's character (verse 2). (1). David knew God promised to be near His people, but He felt far away. (2). David knew God answers those who call upon Him, but he seemed silent. (3). David knew God would never forsake the righteous, but where was He? Verse 3 makes it clear that, even amid his sorrow and sense of abandonment, David's faith in God's character did not waver. David looked back to the way God's presence had dwelt among Hios people and rescued them when they cried out to Him (verses 3-5). Would God not intervene again?

Discuss? How do we sustain our faith while bringing our honest, raw questions to God?

Jesus Felt Abandoned                           Matthew 27:45-47

Matthew records that darkness fell between noon and 3hree o'clock on the day Jessu died (27:45). While we cannot fully grasp the transaction taking place on the cross, we can to a degree understand the anguished emotion behind His words as the darkness of that afternoon came to an end (Matthew 27:46). The sinless Son of God felt the weight of in and the separation from the Father it brings.  Jesus' choice of words in that moment likely carried the larger message of Psalm 22. By quoting David's prophetic statement, Jesus was proclaiming that His own unjust suffering would end in salvation--for Jews and Gentiles (verse 27). Matthew records the people's reaction to Jesus' words: "He's calling Elijah" (27:47). While it's possible that this response was mockery, it seems the bystanders misunderstood Jesus' words and associated them with a Jewish tradition of the time that Elijah was able to come at any time to help righteous people (see verse 49).

Discuss? While David's suffering was on his own behalf, Jesus suffered for us. How can we express our gratitude to Jesus for His sacrifice?

Part 2-- Jesus Mocked and His Garments Divided

David Scorned                            Psalm 22:6-8, 17-18

David's words in Psalm 22 so closely mirror the crucifixion that it can be tempting to see them only from a New Testament perspective.  Verse 3 and 9 each begin portions of this psalm (3-5, 9-10) with "yet you" and describe God's faithfulness. But verses 6-8 (beginning with "but I") contrast God's high and holy status with David's utter lowliness. David feels dehumanized by his enemies' insults and dismissal. They even mockingly reminded him of God's apparent abandonment (verse 8). In verses 17-18, David describes the dread that he would die as his enemies looked on, not even waiting until he was gone to divide his possessions.

DISCUSS? How can we find hope and strength in the Lord when we are under attack?

          Jesus Scorned                      Matthew 27:31-43

Psalm 22:18 is fulfilled in Matthew 27:35 when the Roman soldiers divided Jesus' clothes among them. All clothing was removed from people being crucified, adding to their shame. John's Gospel explains Jesus' robe was "seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, 'Rather than tearing it apart, let's throw dice for it" (John 19:23-24). people passing by shook their heads at Him (Matthew 27:39), an expression of insult and mockery and a direct fulfillment of Psalm 22:7). The Jewish leaders who traveled outside the city to witness Jesus' crucifixion and hurl insults at Him seemed to be following David's script from Psalm 22:8 (Matthew 27:43). Repeatedly, Jesus mockers challenged Him to come down from the cross (Matthew 27:40,42). Of course, Jesus did not relent. "Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross. disregarding its shame" (Hebrews 12:2).

DISCUSS? What does it mean to you that Jesus suffered so willingly?

      Part 3- Hands and Feet Pierced

Surrounded by Enemies         Psalm 22:11-16

After crying again for God's help (psalm 22:11), David described how his enemies were surrounding him on the outside (verses 12-13) and his strength was draining away on the inside (verses 14-15). David's description of being helplessly, he elevated the stakes by describing an attack by hungry lions. Dealing with danger on every side has left him exhausted--poured out, disjointed, melted, dried up, left for dead. In verse 16, David again describes the "evil gang" closing in on him, describing them as "a pack of dogs." David added the detail that wounds would be inflicted on the Messiah's hands and feet. between verses 21 and 22, David experienced a complete turnaround. He burst forth with praise, affirming that God "has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them but has listened to their cries for help" (verse 24). David prophesied the ultimate triumph of the Messiah (verses 30-31).

DISCUSS? Has stress or danger ever left you feeling utterly exhausted? Looking back, how can you see that god was helping you?

Seeing and Believing                    John 20:24-29

The day he rose from the dead, Jesus appeared to the disciples in the room where they were hiding from the Jewish leaders (John 20:19). He showed them the wounds in His hands and side (verse 20), and they were filled with joy. Thomas wasn't with the other disciples. When they later described what had happened, he refused to believe they had seen Jesus. He insisted on seeing physical proof (like the other disciples had already seen) before believing Jesus had risen from the dead. Eight days later, Jesus again appeared to the disciples (verse 26). Immediately, His attention went to Thomas, Jesus relieved his doubts. He invited the disciple to touch the wounds in His hands and side. "Don't be faithless any longer," Jesus told him. "Believe! (verse 27). Thomas responded: "My Lord and my God1: (verse 28). Not only did Thomas recognize Jesus as Messiah, but he grasped the truth that Jesus is God. Millions of Christians throughout the centuries have been partakers of that blessing. How blessed we are to have seen the truth with eyes of faith and declared Him to be our Lord and our God!

Discuss? Why do you think Thomas insisted on seeing Jesus' wounds before he would believe He was alive?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Psalm 22 was birthed out of David's suffering and his willingness to continue pouring out his heart even when God seemed silent. Under the Spirit's inspiration, he declared extremely detailed messianic prophecies that were fulfilled centuries later with Jesus. How could our suffering be part of God's larger redemptive plan. How might our steadfast faith be leading others to Jesus? We n might never know until eternity.

LIVING IT OUT

         Pray that God will lead you to a fellow believer who is struggling in their faith. remind them of the blessing of John 20:29.

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               DAILY BIBLE READING

                              Monday: A Promise to Never Leave. (Deuteronomy 31:1-6) 

                             Tuesday: God Never Forsakes His Saints. (Psalm 37:27-29)

                Wednesday: Take Refuge in God. (Psalm 57:1-11)

                        Thursday: Blessed in Mockery. (Matthew 5:1-12).

                Friday, Hated by the World (John 15:18-25)

                    Saturday: Christ's Suffering Foretold (Acts 26:19-23)

Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 106 Number 2. Dec. Jan.  Feb. 2024-25