It Is Finished

By Billie Duty

Psalm 22:1-21 gives a prophetic view  of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross many years before it took place.

In both Matthew's  and Mark's account of the crucifixtion, Jesus cried out from the cross "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:34). In both these passages, we see His suffering on the cross from the viewpoint of those who were standing, looking up at Christ, while He hung on the cross, suffering the cruel death.

Psalms 22, however, reads from the viewpoint of the suffering  Christ looking down from the cross.

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent.

But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed. (Psalm 22:1-5)

Jesus suffered pain and agony. He hurt and felt the same pain you or I would have felt if we had been the ones hanging on the cross. He felt all alone. He suffered this cruel death for you and for me.

But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people. All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, "He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!" (Psalm 22:6-8)

Our Savior didn't even feel like a man. They mocked Him as He hung there, suffering and dying for them. ( Matt. 27:43) What would you or I have done, felt, said, if we had been there looking up while our Savior died for our sins?

But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother's womb You have been My God. Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help.  

Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.
They gape at Me with their mouths, Like a raging and roaring lion.     (Psalm 22:9-13)

They were like wild beasts wanting to tear Him to pieces. They did not even have compassion for Him while He suffered.

I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. (Psalm 22:14-15)

He had no strength left in His body. In John 19:28 He said, "I thirst".

For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. (Psalm 22:16-18)

He saw it all. He felt surrounded by evil and wickedness. He was aware of every ache and pain in His body. He saw them staring. He watched as they divided His clothes and then gambled for them. (Matt. 27:35; John 19:24)

Yet, He still prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)

But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion's mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen!

You have answered Me. (Psalm 22:19-21)

"It is finished" (Jn. 19:30)