“ 'neither hath he hid his face from him;' Psalm 22: ”
Dear Pastor Monte, I can't tell you enough how much we are enjoying this series, your stand against Calvinism and replacement theology, and your Olivet Discourse to name a few.
I would say though, that I see this Psalm is in lament format where the ? Why have you forsaken me in verse 2, is answered like all lament Psalms with assurances at the end. This one being in verse 24 that God did not turn His face from His Son, nor did the Father despise nor abhorre the affliction of His Son. In other words, He did not forsake Him, but saw His sacrifice as a offering of a sweetsmelling savour (Ephesians 5:2) and a "sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God" (Phillipians 4:18). I also believe that Christ was bringing their attention to the whole of Psalm 22 in context as they were familiar with it. Jess said 'I and my Father are one" and "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me". I don't believe that there was even a moment on the cross where this was not true.
Thank you for considering these passages, and I look forward to learning more of the Word from you.
May God richly bless you,
Lori Lindsley |
