Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ is among the 10 highest- grossing films of all time. Why has this film been such a success?

Part of it is that we live in an image culture. People understand events through images, and they desire to understand Christ and the crucifixion in a similar way. The Gospels give us a factual account of the crucifixion, but they don’t allow us to see Christ’s facial expression or to hear the tone of His voice when He says, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

Mel Gibson’s film attempts to give us insight into these moments, to give us insight into the innermost thoughts of Christ. Of course, we know that Gibson’s film is his interpretation of these events and, although I have not seen the film, there is evidence that his interpretation contains severe flaws.

The Power of the Psalms: There is a place in Scripture where God allows us into the innermost thoughts of the Messiah. There is a place where we enter into the subjective experience of Christ on the cross. Psalm 22 gives us an authoritative account of the passion of the Christ. One of the arguments for singing the Psalms is that they allow us into the mind of Christ like no other part of holy Scripture. As Geerhardus Vos noted, “Our Lord himself found his inner life portrayed in the Psalter and in some of the highest moments of his ministry borrowed from it the language in which his soul spoke to God” (Grace and Glory, Banner of Truth, pp. 169-170). This is certainly true of Psalm 22.

A Prophecy of the Cross: The superscription of Psalm 22 informs us that it is a psalm of David. However, after reading the description of suffering contained in this psalm we have to ask, Is there any historical event in the life of David in which he endured this type of suffering? The answer, of course, is no. This psalm is not ultimately about King David, but rather is about King Jesus. Psalm 22 is a prophetic psalm, and Peter confirms David’s prophetic role in the New Testament (Acts 2:30). Psalm 22 foretold the anguish of the crucifixion a thousand years before it occurred!

*The Crucifixion in Detail: *Psalm 22 describes the crucifixion in amazing detail. The first verse of the psalm, the cry of forsakenness, is spoken by Jesus on the cross (Matt. 27:46). One must remember that citing the first verse of a text in the ancient world was a means of referencing the importance of the entire text. Jesus declared that this psalm is about Him.

Next, we have verses 6-8, which describe the people mocking, shalcing their heads, and hurling insults. These exact events were experienced by Jesus on the cross (Matt. 27:39-40).

Then we have the description of the physical suffering in verses 12-18. Verse 14 describes the process by which crucifixion causes death. Essentially; crucifixion leads to suffocation as the body collapses under its own weight. Verse 15 describes the dehydration that Jesus experienced, leading Him to cry out, “I am thirsty!” (John 19:28). Verse 17 describes the shame of nudity as Jesus was stripped for crucifixion (Matt. 27:28). Verse 18 describes the casting of lots for the clothes of Jesus (Luke 23:34). Finally, verse 31 contains the phrase, “for he has done it,” which is strikingly similar to the words ofJesus on the cross, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Think of how amazing these descriptions are!

In case you remain unconvinced, look at verse 16. In this verse, the psalmist declares, “They have pierced my hands and my feet.” As you ponder that verse, remember that crucifixion was not a Hebrew form of execution. This verse so powerfully testifies to the crucifixion of Christ that some Hebrew scribes contended for an alternate reading of this text which removes the word “pierced.” Psalm 22 is an incredible testimony to the authority of Scripture. A thousand years before it happened, long before crucifixion was a form of execution common to the Hebrews, David proclaimed the passion of the Christ.

The Question for You: Psalm 22 brings you face to face with the innermost thoughts of the forsaken One. It confronts you with the suffering Christ. It confronts you with the cross. It demands that you answer the question, “Why was He forsaken?” It demands that you come to terms with the fact that this suffering was required because of your transgressions. It demands that you realize that He was forsaken because of you. The good news is that He was forsaken so that you will never be forsaken (Heb. 13:5).

My question for you is: Have you come to terms with the forsaken One?

—Anthony T. Selvaggio