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Prophecy of Death and Life (Communion Meditation)

Mark Berrier
9/18/2005

Have you ever felt forsaken by God? Have you ever wanted just to give up? So did David of old. In Psalm 22 he wrote, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” You may recognize those words because Jesus also spoke them from the cross. Even Jesus felt abandoned by God.

In Psalm 22 David also wrote, “You lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me, a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet” (vv. 15, 16). How could David have written this more than 500 years before crucifixion was invented? The “dogs” he speaks of would be Gentiles surrounding him. David also wrote, “They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing” (v. 18). This is incredibly precise prophecy in Psalm 22. He speaks of God abandoning him; he speaks of being surrounded by Gentiles; he says his hands and feet have been pierced; he even says his clothes are being gambled over! This is an amazing portrayal of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Psalm 22:18—about gamblers dividing his clothing—is quoted in all four Gospels to describe the crucifixion. David saw and maybe even experienced this a thousand years before Jesus died.

But after David speaks of death in Psalm 22, he says, “I will declare your name to my brothers” (v. 22). The book of Hebrews quotes this verse concerning Jesus’ resurrection. Clearly, Psalm 22 reveals the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

When we gather around the Lord’s table, we can see the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus—his body broken to make us whole; his blood poured out to forgive our sins. Paul even says, “You proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” His future coming points us back toward his resurrection. Without the resurrection, he would never be able to return to take us home with him.

The Lord’s Supper reminds us he is no longer dead. We do not have faith in a dead man, as all other religions of the world do; we are worshiping one who was described in advance by King David and others—one who lived, died, and rose again. This is our hope; we too live, we will die, and we will rise again. As you share in his supper, remember that he is our hope.

MB