CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST

(22nd and 23rd Psalms)

By Don Hollifield

The 22nd and 23rd Psalms were written by King David according to God's direction, 1000 years before the birth of Jesus. The 22nd Psalm minutely describes every aspect of the crucifixion and suffering of Jesus while on the cross. The 23rd Psalm describes the blessing we receive through the blood of Jesus: "Salvation."

Let's begin with: Matthew 27v46: "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani." Spoken by Jesus while on the cross, dying and translated to read: "My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken Me?"

This verse contains three very unusual items: 1. My God, My God, and not My Father, My Father. Jesus always called God, His Father. His first words spoken when nailed to the cross: Luke 24v24: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

2. Why hast Thou forsaken Me. I don't believe God would forsake Jesus, while dying on the cross. This is also verified in John 16v32. Jesus is telling His apostles that He would soon leave them and they would be scattered and pursued. John 16v32: "Behold, the hour cometh, yea is now the time, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. Yes, His Father is with Him, and Jesus is telling His apostles that although you will be scattered and pursued, My Father will remain with Me, especially during the crucifixion. Would you forsake your son or daughter if they were dying an agonizing death? Of course not. Some say Jesus took on the sins of the world at that moment and God turned from him. Not so! The Bible says Jesus died for our sins, not with our sins.

3. Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani It's not Greek, or Latin, but part Hebrew and part Chaldea's (Arabic) "Why?" I do not believe Jesus is calling to God. This is so unusual, you know there's more than meets the eye.

The only place in the Bible which states this phase is the 22nd Psalm. I firmly believe Jesus is reciting this Psalm. He is telling us that he is now fulfilling the 22nd Psalm. He spoke in both Hebrew and Children for those with eyes to see and ears to hear, would recognize 22nd Psalm.

Psalm 22v1: My God, My God why hast thou forsaken Me? Why art thou so far from helping me from the words of My roaring?

Jesus is loudly proclaiming to God: "Why does it seem so far away before you can help me as you hear my words of suffering." Jesus had to willingly die for our sins, the innocent Lamb dying for us, so we may enjoy salvation. V2: O My God, I cry in the daytime, but Thou hearst not; and in the night season, and I am not silent. Jesus was crucified in the daytime at approx. 9AM morning. Night season was when God had darkness fall upon the land between the 6th and 9th hour; which was between noon and three PM.

Jesus is constantly letting God know that he is willingly to suffer and die for our sins. From the beginning of the crucifixion to his final breath. V3: But Thou are holy, Oh Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. V4: Our fathers (Israelite ancestors) trusted in Thee. They trusted and Thou didst deliver them You delivered them from bondage in Egypt. V5: They called unto Thee, and were delivered; they trusted in Thee and were not confounded. They trusted in God and were not disappointed. V6: But I am a worm, and no man. A reproach (rebuked) of man, and despised of the people.

In the manuscripts, Worm reads: "Tolohath" which is a crimson grub. Jesus is covered in blood from the crown of thorns, the nails in his hands and feet, the razor sharp cuts experienced from the reeds, and from the terrible beating he endured. Jesus is covered in blood and looks more like the worm; a tolohath, and not a man. V7: All that they see me, laugh me to scorn. They shoot out the lip. (Stretch the truth, they lie) They shake the head saying: V8: "He trusted the Lord that He would deliver Him. Let Him deliver Him, seeing (if) He delighted in Him."

This prophesy was fulfilled in Matthew 27v39-43, practically word for word V9: But Thou are He that took Me out of the womb. (You gave Me life) Thou didst make Me hope (kept me safe) when I was upon My Mother's breast.

When Jesus was an infant, King Herod heard about the King of the Jews being born in Bethlehem, He sent soldiers to kill all male children, two years of age or under. But an angel from God told Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt until King Herod dies. Then later an angel from God told Joseph it was safe to return to Israel. as prophesied. V10: I was cast upon Thee from the womb. (in Your care) Thou art My God (Father) from My Mother's belly.

The next 3 verses are symbolic: V11: Be not far from Me, for trouble is near. (Trouble??? What more trouble can he have?) For there is none to help. Jesus is alone and must die for our sins, He can not accept help.

V12: Many bulls have compassed Me, (surrounded me) strong Bulls of Bashan have beset Me round. We need to go back to the time of Moses to fully understand this verse. Bashan was an evil kingdom, a land of giants.

Those with eyes to see and ears to hear will recognize the similarity of the giants during the time of Noah. God had Moses kill every man, woman and child of Bashan, but they kept their cattle which were idols or false gods they worshipped. They killed the giants, but kept their cattle to prove to all that God was the God All mighty. So this verse is symbolic, that Jesus is delirious as He is surrounded by strong bulls or false gods of the devil, which would be his demons. V13: And they gape upon Me with their mouths as a raving and roaring lion.

They ridicule him with taunting remarks. They were trying to get Jesus to change his mind, like roaring lions stalking their prey. Jesus suffered both mentally and physically, V14: I am (My life is) poured out like water, and my bones are out of joint. Jesus is suffering crucifixion and the weight of his body collapses his rib cage and each breath is more difficult than the one before. The pressure on his heart, slowly makes it more difficult to beat.

The weight of his body, pulls his arms, elbows and wrists out of joint. My heart is like wax, (hardly beating) it is melted (faint) in the midst of my bowels. (or body) V15: My strength is dried up like a potsherd (an old dried piece of pottery) and My tongue claeaveth to my jaws, Thou has brought Me into the dust (edge) of death. V16: For dogs (or common criminals) have compassed Me. The assembly of the wicked have enclose me. They pierced my hands and feet.

As prophesied 1,000 years before when he was nailed to the cross. I believe this also shows how God is dreading the day that His only Son will suffer and die for our sins. V17: I may tell My bones (myself) they look and stare upon me. (I'm humiliated) V18: They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture. Roman soldiers cast lots for his robe as prophesied. V19: But be not far from Me, O Lord, O my strength has Thee to help Me. Stay near, Father for you are my strength and you comfort me. Jesus is suffering profusely, for us. V20: Deliver My Soul from the sword, My darling from the power of the dog.

In Hebrew: the sword is a cutting instrument, as a Roman soldier thrust his spear in his side through his stomach and pierced his heart. The Manuscripts read "My only one" and the subject is his Soul. Jesus is saying: "My Father, deliver My Soul from the spear, My only Soul from the power of the devil." Who's the dog? The male prostitute, the whore in the book of Revelation, the devil himself.

V21: Save Me from the lion's mouth, (reference verse 13: Evil spirits as a roaring lion) for Thou has heard Me from the horns (strength) of the unicorns. Unicorns are mentioned nine times in the Bible. It's an unknown word and could not be translated. From it's description, we know it's a very strong, powerful and fearless animal. Psalm 92v10 states: The horn of a unicorn. Unicorn means 1 horn, and I believe it is a rhinoceros is, and lions don't mess with a rhinoceros. Jesus continues: Thou has heard Me from the strength of the unicorn. Now Jesus has died as destined, symbolic of the rhino standing against the lion. Jesus prevailed and we have salvation.

The next eight verses have a special meaning for Christians. V22: I will declare thy name unto My brethren in the midst of the congregation. I will praise thee. Jesus will declare our name on judgment day in front of the congregation and God. The next seven verses tell us why. The pronouns: He and Him are used several times in the next few verses and are very confusing. But if you substitute God and Jesus for He and Him, It's like opening a drape and letting the sun shine through. I have substituted God and Jesus for He and Him: V23: Ye that fear the Lord, praise (JESUS), All ye the seed of Jacob, glorify (JESUS), And fear (JESUS) All ye the seed of Israel. (world) V24: For (GOD) hath not despised, nor afflicted (detested) the affliction of the afflicted (sins of sinners) neither hath (GOD) hid His face from (JESUS), but when (JESUS) cried unto (GOD, GOD) heard. God did not forsake his son. V25: My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation (heaven) I will pay my vows (promises) before them that fear (revere and love) (JESUS). V26: The meek shall eat and be satisfied. They shall praise the Lord that seek (JESUS). Your heart (Soul) shall live forever.

God's promise of Eternity.

V27: All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before (JESUS). Every knee shall bend before when Jesus returns. V28: For the kingdom is the Lord's and (JESUS) is the governor among the nations. (King of Kings) V29: All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship. (filled on the Holy Spirit from worshipping God) All they that go down to the dust (spiritually dead) shall bow down before (JESUS) and none can keep alive his own soul. They will suffer damnation.

The final two verses are special instructions for Christians: V30: A seed (the seed of Christianity planted by Jesus) shall serve (JESUS) and (shall) be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

The final generation will be accountable to God, their actions involving the final days. V31: They shall come and shall declare His righteousness (witness for Jesus) unto a people that shall be born, (this will be the final generation) Hath (JESUS) done this. Jesus died and suffered for our sins. "Hath done this." In Hebrew it is: "Hath finished this." And Jesus' final words on the cross was: "It is finished."

THE 23RD PSALM

The 23rd Psalm is only six verses, but a most beautiful message for all Christians. Because of God's love and Jesus' love and their sacrifice for us; We receive this special blessing: Salvation.

The 23rd Psalm is special for all of us, using such personal pronouns as I, me, my and mine. Psalm 23V1: The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. Jesus is the good shepherd. As such, he cares and will die for his flock. What more do we want?

V2: He maketh (provides) me to lie down (comforts me) in green pastures. "Green Pastures" are choice food for the flock. Choice food for Christians is the Bread of Life. Jesus provides me with the comfort of the Bread of Life, He leadeth me beside still waters. "Still waters" Is the Holy Spirit. Jesus leads me to the tranquility of the Holy Spirit. V3: He restoreth my soul, (from the scars of sin) He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for His namesake.

We as Christians carry the name of Christ. Christians: Means "Christ in us," V4: Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, "Shadow of death" or brush with death, also including your death bed when dying. "Valley" is the low land or when you're low emotionally, or worried. As Christians we have nothing to worry about, we belong to God and He assures us in the following verses. "I shall fear no evil. Thou are with me. Thy rod and stall, they comfort me." The Shepherd uses his rod to protect his flock from danger. The Rod of Jesus protects us from the evil one. The Shepherd uses his staff to guide his flock, and keeps them from straying. The Staff of Jesus guides us through life and death.

Psalm 48V14: For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even unto death. As a Christian the devil can not have you. God and his Son will fight for you and God and His Son will guide you through the gray area of dying. V5: Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies While on this earth, we are in the presence of wickedness, and God and Jesus are preparing a feast to welcome us, God and Jesus and the great men and women of the Bible, and our loved ones who have passed on before us, are preparing a feast for us. It's beyond our comprehension.

Thou anointed my head with oil. This is an act of God and the "Head" is where your sole resides, and "Oil" is symbolic of a blessing being poured upon your soul when baptized; Which seals your soul with the promise of God: Salvation.

What is the Blessing? My cup runneth over. The Cup is mentioned through-out the Bible. Jesus identified the Cup as the container of your soul, At the last supper when he prayed in: Mark 14V36: Take away this cup (my body) from Me. Not what I will, but what Thou will. Jesus is telling God, "I am ready and willing to die, according to your will." Your soul resides in your body, which is your life. When you die, your soul leaves your body; it over-flows from the Cup or from this life into eternity, because: V6: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. AMEN

Now that we understand the symbolism of the 23rd Psalm, let's repeat it, but this time read it slowly and digest the symbolism:

23rd PSALM

The Lord is my shepherd... I shall not want...
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...
He leadeth me beside still waters...
He restoreth my soul...
He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for my name sake...
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...
I will fear no evil... for thou art with me...
thy rod and staff comfort me...
Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...
Thou anointest my head with oil... My cup runneth over...
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever...
AMEN