< Psalms 22 >

These are the words of Jesus on the cross, Matthew 27:46,Matthew 27:46XWaiting for response and shows that this Psalm expresses his thoughts as he suffered so terribly and died for his friends. Luke 24:44Luke 24:44XWaiting for response

Some who heard him cry, "Eli, Eli, my God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?", either misheard or deliberately misrepresented what he said, claiming he was calling for Elijah, Matthew 27:47-49,Matthew 27:47-49XWaiting for response as proof he was not Christ. God had declared that Elijah would come before the Messiah to prepare the way before him, Malachi 4:5-6.Malachi 4:5-6XWaiting for response In truth, John the Baptist had this role at his first appearing, Luke 1:16-17;Luke 1:16-17XWaiting for response Matthew 17:10,12-13,Matthew 17:10,12-13XWaiting for response and Elijah himself will perform this at his second appearing. Matthew 17:11Matthew 17:11XWaiting for response

Jesus declared he was a worm. This is the "scarlet beetle", coccus ilicis, and is a most appropriate figure of his sacrifice and its effect. This beetle fixes itself to a tree trunk, protects its young under its body, and dies to enable its young to live. In death it turns scarlet, the symbol of sin. This is a remarkable symbol of Jesus was fixed to a tree and died to save his seed and destroyed sin by his death.

Jesus' persecutors laughed him to scorn while acknowledging he had saved so many others. They challenged him to save himself by coming down from the cross or by calling on God to save him, if the LORD delighted in him! And the LORD did delight in him, for his righteousness, and delivered him. Psalm 18:17-20.Psalm 18:17-20XWaiting for response

Verses 9 and 10 tell us that Jesus knew from a very early age that he was the Son of God and would be the Christ. From that moment, though we had the highest status among men, he made himself of no reputation and took of the status of a servant (slave) and was obedient to his Father even unto death. Philippians 2:5-8.Philippians 2:5-8XWaiting for response

Jesus experienced a tremendous thirst, crying out "I thirst" and was given a little vinegar in a sponge to drink. John 19:28-30.John 19:28-30XWaiting for response They had earlier offered him vinegar mixed with gall, but he rejected that drug for he was determined to endure the suffering without any aid. Matthew 27:34.Matthew 27:34XWaiting for response

The wicked were like vicious dogs, piercing Jesus' hand and feet as they crucified him, the Roman form of capital punishment. This was a terrible affliction but the holes in his hands would provide evidence when he would reveal himself as the Messiah in power that this same Jesus who had died and risen from the dead. Zechariah 12:10Zechariah 12:10XWaiting for response

Hanging on the cross, Jesus could count his bones because his whole body was in agony and his bones out of joint. Yet not one of his bones was broken, John 19:32-33,John 19:32-33XWaiting for response this being by God's will and protection. John 19:36;John 19:36XWaiting for response Psalm 34:20.Psalm 34:20XWaiting for response

Nevertheless his body was broken, 1 Corinthians 11:24,1 Corinthians 11:24XWaiting for response being pierced by a spear, John 19:34,John 19:34XWaiting for response and its staff, as foretold by David in his last words 2 Samuel 23:6-7;2 Samuel 23:6-7XWaiting for response and his was blood shed, Luke 22:20Luke 22:20XWaiting for response - all for us.

Jesus watched the Roman soldiers at the base of the cross divide his garments among themselves and, as his coat had no seam, they cast lots for it, in fulfilment of this prophecy! John 19:23,24John 19:23,24XWaiting for response

Even while enduring great agony, Jesus turned his thought to the future he will enjoy with his brethren and sisters, saying he will declare the LORD's name to them in the great congregation (ecclesia). Therefore, we are exhorted to live now that we may be called the children of God and Christ's brothers and sisters in that great day. Hebrews 2:11-12Hebrews 2:11-12XWaiting for response

All the peoples of the earth will hear of Jesus' great sacrifice when the kingdom is established and he is "governor among the nations", and worship the LORD.

Jesus had no seed for he was cut off from the living without having children, Isaiah 53:8;Isaiah 53:8XWaiting for response Acts 8:33.Acts 8:33XWaiting for response Yet a great multitude will be his seed will serve him and be counted as his generation, and they will declare his righteousness and what he has done to all people. He will declare God's name to the great congregation, putting the Father's name on them all, Revelation 3:12;Revelation 3:12XWaiting for response Revelation 14:1.Revelation 14:1XWaiting for response