The Suffering King

Old Testament

Psalm 22:1, 7–8, 16–18 (KJV)

1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

New Testament

Matthew 27:35–46 (KJV)

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36 And sitting down they watched him there; 37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews. 38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

The Connection

Matthew’s crucifixion account repeatedly echoes Psalm 22: the divided garments, mocking words, head-shaking, and Jesus’ own quotation of the Psalm’s opening cry. The New Testament presents Jesus’ suffering within the scriptural story Israel already knew.

Application

The cross was not an interruption in God’s plan. In seasons when God seems silent, Psalm 22 and the cross remind us that suffering does not mean God has abandoned His redemptive purposes.

Reflection

How does Jesus’ willingness to suffer change the way I bring my own pain to God?

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for entering human suffering and bearing the cross. Help me trust God even when I cannot yet see how He is working. Amen.