Our Suffering Savior

Immanuel Fellowship Church

Jesus' entire earthly ministry, up to his resurrection, was shaped by humiliation. In Christ eternal Spirit took on an earthly frame subject to all manner of misery. He was misunderstood and maligned by sinners. People hated him without cause. In the days leading up to his death, his humiliation was amplified. The better we comprehend Jesus' suffering the more we will know God's love for us and, in light of God's mercy, offer ourselves as living sacrifices. --Psalm 22 can help us understand the suffering and exaltation of Christ. David's reflection on his own experience is a prophecy of the life of Jesus, and especially of his death and resurrection. The New Testament writers shared this conviction- three of the verses -1, 18, 22- are quoted a total of four times -Matt. 27-46- Mark 15-34- John 19-24- Heb. 2-12-.--The chapter is divided into two parts- the first -1-21- is a desperate cry for rescue from the claws of death, and the second -22-31- a jubilant celebration of life. We will listen to this psalm in its two parts today and next Sunday.--The sentiments in the first part of the psalm alternate between anxiety and trust. This is often our experience too. Hardship and hope compete to determine our outlook on life. Following this pattern can help us appreciate the real struggle in Christ as he suffered for his people.