Listen up, little ones
Listen for the words he and son.
Reading
Psalm 22:1-2 Forsaken!
Keys for kids
- Jesus suffered greatly on the cross.
- David spoke of Jesus’s suffering in this Psalm.
- Because God forsook Jesus we know He won’t forsake us.
Questions
- What cry is echoed as this Psalm begins?
- Who is making this cry?
- Why did God forsake Jesus on the cross?
Notes
(See Saturday for authors.)
“My God” these days is too often simply used as casual swear expression. Even Christians sometimes imitate the world’s shortcut, “OMG.” Yet it must not be. No greater expression of faith can be made than to call the Eternal God “My God.”
And so the Psalmist, King David, begins this Psalm with that expression – repeated twice. This cry is both a great expression of faith and also the most anguished expression of being forsaken in the whole Bible. We don’t know what anguish was reflected in David’s mind as the Holy Spirit carried him to write these words. But we do see Jesus. David and his afflictions may be here in a very modified sense, but, as the star is concealed by the light of the sun, he who sees Jesus will probably neither see nor care to see David. (Spurgeon)
Jesus groaned these words – and perhaps the whole Psalm – on the cross. At the peak of Jesus’ humiliation on this earth He cries out with loud cries to His Father and His God, “Why have you forsaken me!?” We now know, of course. God forsook Jesus on the cross, pouring out just wrath instead of compassion and help so that we might be saved. Oh, the wonder!
Swedish Method questions
Praise
Psalm 22b, 65d
Prayer
- Rejoice with your family in God's salvation through Jesus.
- Pray for the hearing of God’s word preached this Lord's Day.
- Pray for a member of our church, for your family, and for a non-Christian friend/family member.