Psalm 22 is one of the most gut-wrenching passages in the Bible. The words of Psalm 22 are most appropriate on the lips of Jesus as he suffered for our sins on the cross.
Towards the end of the Psalm, with the mission of the Suffering Servant completed, he announces:
I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you. (Psalm 22:22)
Jesus’ obedient suffering revealed the name of God. The “name” refers to a person’s character and reputation.
Who are the recipients of the glorious proclamation of God’s character? People like you and me – brothers and sisters of our Lord and Savior.
The author of Hebrews brings to mind Psalm 22 in all its fullness.
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” (Hebrews 2.12).
Trust in the Lord
If Jesus is willing to suffer and die to provide a way for humans to become children of God, our response should be to completely trust him.
The next verse in Hebrews has a double meaning. We do well to trust Jesus because Jesus completely trusted the Father.
And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,
“Here am I and the children whom God has given me.” (Hebrews 2.13)
Jesus’ trust in the Father was on full display when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42).
Following Jesus’ lead, trusting obedience is the appropriate response for a human to give to God.
Jesus sits at the right hand of Majesty (Hebrews 1.3) to give us as children to God.
Deliverance from Fear
The book, “The Denial of Death,” outlines the many efforts humans make to deny their mortality.
Hebrews invites God’s children to face death and to trust the finished work of Jesus to conquer our fear of it.
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
And free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death (Hebrews 2.14-15).
Psalm 22 describes the agony that Jesus experienced to make us his brothers and sisters and to give us victory over death and the devil.
Like the slaves who were freed from Egypt, we follow the Pioneer of our faith (Jesus) and experience freedom from slavery to the fear of death.
We rejoice in what Jesus has done for us and commit to following him to freedom.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I talk about this passage today on YouTube. You can see the video on the Bob Spradling channel.
Please email your prayer request to bsprad49@gmail.com. The Maywood prayer team will pray for you.
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