What Christ Endured for Us
Psalm 22 is a striking psalm because it describes in great detail the crucifixion of Jesus. The scene of the crucifixion is painted clearly by David’s words. John MacArthur states “we’re given here David’s insights from the Holy Spirit into a future that hasn’t even happened.” Verse 1 begins with the well-known cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” A cry of agony, a cry of suffering, a cry of pain.
Understanding what Jesus was experiencing in those moments can serve to increase and intensify our praise and adoration for Him. Charles Spurgeon outlines the extent of what Jesus was experiencing in his commentary of Psalm 22.
First, Jesus was suffering physically. This is evident in all accounts of the crucifixion. He was beaten, bruised, pierced, scourged, etc.
Second, He was suffering mentally. He was mocked and scorned. He listened to depraved and powerless humans yell out, “He saved others, but He cannot even save himself!”
Lastly, He was suffering spiritually. His Father, with whom He had spent eternity past with, turned His face away. Spurgeon describes Christ’s spiritual agony as a “blackness and darkness.” On top of this, all of God’s wrath that was meant for us was directed toward Christ. Spurgeon concluded, “therefore, the Father closed the eyes of His love and left His Son to cry out these bitter words.”
After gaining a better understanding of what Jesus was experiencing on the cross, it should amplify our praise and gratitude.
As Spurgeon once said, “You stand before God as if you were Christ, because Christ stood before God as if he were you.” We should have been the ones to suffer, yet Christ paid our debt. He was the one who suffered physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Therefore, let us cultivate hearts of praise, for this is What Christ Endured for Us.
