David wrote a psalm about a fierce conflict he was forced to endure because of his enemy’s pursuit wanting to end his life. Did he know that he was prophesying about his Master’s trials and crucifixion?
Bashan was the northernmost region of Palestine east of the Jordan River. Their bulls were among the strongest in the region. Being surrounded by 500 pounds of muscle and beedy eyes drives intimidation into the bones knowing pouncing hooves were next. The trials before the Sanhedrin, Herod, and Pilate were equivalent. The guards that scourged Jesus were like roaring lions tearing their prey’s flesh.
Verses 14 through 16 describe the agony of the Messiah. Jesus’ blood poured out like water from a cup. (14) The crucifixion dislocated his bones, causing so much pain that the crucified could count their bones. (14, 17) Lack of blood, exposure, and dehydration weakened the heart as if it was melting away. (14) His strength withered away, his tongue swollen and sticking to the roof of his mouth, and his body slammed into the dust of the earth as they flipped the cross so they could bend the nails that pierced his palms and his feet. (15, 16)
Dogs surrounded him; a band of evil men encircled him in trial and on the cross. (16) “Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads… The chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves.” (Matthew 27:39, 41; Mark 15:29, 30; Luke 23:35, 36, 39; 1 Peter 2:23)
“They pierced his hands and his feet” foretells the crucifixion though it was not invented until the Romans. (16) Speaking of the confirmation of Jesus’ death the apostle John witnessed, “…one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.” (John 19:34)
Verse 18’s fulfillment is witnessed by the authors of the gospels. Matthew 27:35 and Luke 23:38 states, “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” Mark 15:24 adds, “And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.” Apostle John’s 19:23-24 goes into detail, “When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. ‘Let’s not tear it'” they said to one another. ‘Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’ This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled..”
Why was all this misery necessary? It is not just that through Jesus’ passion my debt to God because my sin is paid for and thus the effects of sin are taken away; as Apostle Peter wrote, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24; also Isaiah 53:5) Rather, it also sets up for Jesus’ greatest miracle of all, his resurrection. If I die with him, I will also rise with him. If I suffer for him and with him, I will also rejoice for him and with him.
