Psalm 22 was written by King David centuries before the birth of Jesus. He describes crucifixion, hundreds of years before Romans began using it. On the cross, Jesus pointed to this Scripture by quoting verse 1: “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”
Then this, in verses 6 through 18: “But I am a worm, and not a man, A reproach of men, and despised by the people. All who see me sneer at me … saying, ‘Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.’ … I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It is melted within me … my tongue cleaves to my jaws … A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.”
The suffering, the thirst, the bones out of joint after being beaten, the mockers, the piercing of hands and feet, casting lots for garments – all described in detail centuries before Jesus was crucified! There is only one rational explanation — the Bible is true and inspired by a supernatural God who is not bound by time.
Yes, the ancient stories are true! Jesus was and is real. He was fully God and fully man. In Jesus of Nazareth, God became flesh and dwelt among us. He was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Then He willingly gave up His life and underwent an excruciating death, while accepting the penalty we deserve for our sin and rebellion against God. Now, when we believe in Him, when we accept Him into our hearts – God looks at our hearts and instead of our sin, He sees His Son. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
That is God’s grace to us – we get what we don’t deserve — forgiveness, restoration of relationship to a Holy God, and ultimately, everlasting life in a place with no pain, no sickness, no tears, and no more death. Trust Jesus, and you will understand why today will forever be known as Good Friday!