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| Volume 28 Number 4 April 2026
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Page 4 |
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| Volume 28 Number 4 April 2026
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Page 4 |
Gary C. Hampton
Paul spoke of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as God’s “indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV). David, in Psalm 22, gave us snapshots of the sense of rejection our Lord experienced as He hung upon the tree.
We hear the cry of our Savior, seemingly disturbed by the silence. “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” (Psalm 22:1–2). Yet, He still calls Him “My God” (Matthew 27:46). Jesus knew God had answered His people (Psalm 22:3–5). The Lord had leaned upon the Father since infancy (Psalm 22:9–11). Why did He not hear Him now? Isaiah looked down through the centuries and saw it was because of me (Isaiah 53:4–6)!
David depicted the suffering of the Savior. Him endured scorn and ridicule (Psalm 22:6–8). That is an unmistakable preview of the words people would hurl at Him as He hung on the cross (Matthew 27:39–44). Through inspiration, David also foresaw His crucifixion and the parting of His garments (Psalm 22:16, 18; Matthew 27:35a; John 19:23–24).
Israel’s sweet singer helps us realize the complete trust the Son had in His Father. He praised His Father throughout His lifetime. He urged others to do likewise, declaring, “For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard” (Psalm 22:22–24). No wonder the inspired penman could say He was heard and Peter could proclaim that God raised Him up (Hebrews 5:7; Acts 2:32). David saw Jesus vowing to give thank offerings to the Father for His rescue. He anticipated sharing a joyous meal with others (Psalm 22:25–26).
The Gentiles or “nations” would worship God. Jesus would have children who serve the Father and declare His righteousness (Psalm 22:27–31). People will come to this point by seeing the actions of the Lord and following them in their own lives. “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8–9). Jesus learned the cost of obedience by humbly placing Himself under the Father. Others can receive eternal life when they humbly place themselves under the Son.
Praise God for the gift! Praise God for the way of eternal life it opens to all who will follow the suffering Savior!
[Editor’s Note: Obedience to the Gospel as Jesus was obedient (Hebrews 5:9), contrasted with not obeying the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17), is to “follow the suffering Savior.” In logical sequence, obedience to the Gospel manifests itself turning exclusively to the inspired Word of God (Galatians 1:6-9), from the Word of God or the Gospel deriving faith that Jesus is the Son of God—the Messiah or the Christ (John 8:24), repenting of one’s sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38), willing to publicly acknowledge one’s belief (faith) that Jesus is the Son of God (Romans 10:9-10), humbly submitting to be immersed in water for the remission of sins—imitating the death, burial, resurrection and newness of life of our crucified Savior (Romans 6:3–5; Acts 10:47) and conforming to Gospel instruction (Colossians 1:23), even if one might lose his life for following Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:10). ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
