Palm Sunday (Year A), March 16, 2008
BCP: Isaiah 45:21-25 or Isaiah 52:13–53:12; Psalm 22:1-21 or 22:1-11; Phil. 2:5-11; Matt. (26:36-75) 27:1-54 (55-66)
RCL: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Phil. 2:5-11; Matt. 26:14–27:66 or Matt. 27:11-54
How do we move from knowing the facts of the crucifixion to grasping the interpretation of it? One helpful way is by looking into the Old Testament references found throughout all four passion narratives.
In Matthew’s passion narrative, he makes effective use of Psalm 22 as backdrop to the crucifixion. From his references to this psalm, Matthew wants to unfold his interpretation of the cross of Christ.
All of the references come when Jesus is hanging on the cross. The first occurs when the soldiers cast lots for his garments. “They divide my garments among them and for my clothes they cast lots” (Psalm 22:18). These men, having already scourged him with a whip, now further scorned him by sitting near the wooden cross and throwing dice to see which one of them would get his shoes, his tunic and cloak. Yes, a man of sorrows whose life was poured out — not as a wasted life but as a sacrifice before God.
Insult and abuse come again from those passing by. (What a scene to witness as passing into Jerusalem to buy ingredients for the Passover!) Their taunt, Psalm 22:7, “If you are the Son of God…” was Satan’s temptation to prove he was the Son of God by any means other than dying on the cross. The irony was his divinity could be proven by no other means, and this was what made the sacrifice accepted.
The culmination of Matthew’s account of Jesus on the cross comes with the cry of dereliction, the opening verse of Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus knew the wrenching breach of intimacy with his Father. This was the cup he dreaded, the abandonment of his Father at the time of his death.
Matthew skillfully wove the truths of Psalm 22 into the truths of the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus showed himself to be the Son of God by this very death, a priestly sacrifice and perfect offering from God and for God. His ignoble death would become a triumph of hope for all who reviled and ridiculed him. There on the cross the horror of the world’s sin was revealed, and the cost of our salvation was achieved.
Look It Up
Read Psalm 22 and compare it with Isaiah’s Suffering Servant of chapter 53.
Think About It
Where do we see ridiculing of Christ’s cross today? How can we express its
hope?
Next Sunday
Easter Day (Year A), March 23, 2008
BCP: Acts 10:34-43 or Exodus 14:10-14, 21-25; 15:20-21; Psalm 118:14-29 or 118:14-17, 22-24; Col. 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-10 (11-18) or Matt. 28:1-10.
RCL: Acts. 10:34-43 or Jer. 31:1-6; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Col. 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Matt. 28:1-10.
