PRESENTER'S NOTES

When I was in Texas visiting family for Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to listen to a very helpful sermon by Mr. Stan Erickson, and he was sharing with us his version of a message he heard from Mr. Scott Ashley, as the information had impressed him so much he felt he needed to pass it on to us. I found the helpfulness of the sermon as based in adding to my understanding.

I would like to share with you today the subject of the sermon I heard, then show how it likely applies to one particular incident in the New Testament, and it most certainly applies to a number of passages, at least 200, and up to 400.

Now, let’s suppose you walk up to a modern-day Rabbi and ask him a rather simple, direct question, like, “What’s the name of your dog?”

Their response, “There was a farmer who had a dog.” And, then the Rabbi goes and entirely changes the subject, or asks you the name of your dog.

Don’t say anything, yet, but raise your hand if you have any idea from that response to you what the dog’s name might be?

Well, let me ask you this? If I were to type the phrase, “There was a farmer who had a dog,” into a Google search online, what do you think the subject of the first 50 or so links might be?

BINGO!!!

Now, why would that Rabbi provide such a complicated answer to such a simple question? Well, was his answer really all that complicated, or might it have helped you to NEVER forget his dog’s name?

The tool used by this Rabbi was a common tool used by Rabbis back in Jesus’ day. This teaching tool, one of a number of other teaching tools, is called a “remez”. I would be remiss not to mention the name, “remez”.

R E M E Z

The “remez” form of teaching, however, REQUIRES that the listener or student have a foundational knowledge. What I learned from Mr. Erickson and Mr. Ashley is that Jewish children of Jesus’ day had memorized the Torah (first five books) by age 12. I have read up since and find other records that indicate this was completed by age 10; the boys best at memorization moving on to learn more and up to the rest of the Old Testament by age 14.

So, in Jesus’ day, in post-exilic Jerusalem, scriptural knowledge was extant, the women also being at least well versed in the first five books of the Bible.

Due to this high societal standard of biblical knowledge, the “remez” could be used very effectively. A rabbi could quote part of a passage and move on, knowing the remembrance of it for that lesson would be reinforced by the student who would naturally finish the passage in their own mind.

Train up a child in the way he should go;…
and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

A “remez”, however, is not always so obvious to everybody. You may not have been familiar with the BINGO song, for instance, or it may be so unused in your memory that it did not readily come to mind. You might learn the BINGO song after this conversation with the Rabbi, and, because of what he did, you might still learn the name of his dog.

I have known about a passage for years that I learned required a certain knowledge of the scriptures for it to make proper sense, but I did not know it was called a “remez”, or, at least, I believe it to be a “remez”. This passage is a very important passage because of what it really says, though many have speculated incorrectly, otherwise.

Let’s review the passage and associated passages…

Matthew 27: 46 And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?
47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard, said, This one calls for Elijah.
48 And immediately one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and he put it on a reed and gave it to Him to drink.
49 The rest said, Let Him alone, let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.

50 And crying again with a loud voice, Jesus released His spirit.

This is harmonized in Mark 15…

Mark 15: 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? (which being translated is, My God, My God, why did You forsake Me?)
35 And hearing, some of those standing by said, Behold, he calls Elijah.
36 And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But they said, Let alone, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.
37 And letting out a loud voice, Jesus expired.

Just for the sake of completeness, what was this “loud voice” Jesus let out before He expired.

John 19: 30 Then when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up the spirit.

Just as a reminder, what I am featuring here is a teaching tool used by Jesus even while in his last agonizing moments alive in the flesh on earth.

Turn to…

Psalms

Psalm 22

1 To the Chief Musician, on the deer of the dawn. A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me, and are far from my deliverance, and from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not answer; and in the night, and am not silent.

In two verses, words of doubt and longing are expressed.

3 But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them.
5 They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.

 

David immediately reminds himself, though, of who God is, being holy, is praiseworthy, is a deliverer and trustworthy.

6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people.
7 All who see me laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip; they shake the head, saying,
8 He trusted on the LORD; let Him deliver him; let Him rescue him, since He delights in him!

Reference: Mark 15:35-36

9 For You are He who took me out of the womb, causing me to trust when I was on my mother's breasts.
10 I was cast on You from the womb; You are my God from my mother's belly.

Turn to:

Matthew 1: 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this way (for His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph) before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near, for there is none to help.
12 Many bulls have circled around me; strong bulls of Bashan have surrounded me.
13 They opened wide their mouths on me, like a ripping and a roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are spread apart; my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue clings to my jaws;
16 and You have brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have circled around me; the band of spoilers have hemmed me in, piercers of my hands and my feet.
17 I can count all my bones; they look and stare at me.
18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. à continue…
19 But You, O LORD, be not far from me; O my strength, hurry to help me!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my only one from the dog's hand.
21 Save me from the lion's mouth; from the wild oxen's horns. You have answered me.

Could this be declarative of Jesus’ final words, “It is finished!” I associate the previous verses, 11-21 with the last hours of Jesus’ life on the tree, and it would not surprise me if the statement, “You have answered me,” isn’t directly related to, “It is finished!”

John 19: 30 Then when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up the spirit.

What remains of Psalm 22 seems to lead into the “aftermath” of that sacrifice, the establishment of the church and the eventual reign of Jesus Christ over all the earth.

22 I will declare Your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You.
23 You who fear the LORD, praise Him; all of you, the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; and fear Him all the seed of Israel.
24 For He has not despised nor hated the affliction of the afflicted; and He has not hidden His face from him, but when he cried to Him, He heard.
25 My praise shall be of You in the great congregation; I will pay my vows before the ones who fear Him.
26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD shall praise Him; your heart shall live forever.

Again, focus is turned to praise to God and the mighty works of God’s favor toward us. Is this not the epitome of the meaning of Jesus’ death on the tree?

We, the people of God are the result of the establishment of the Church shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Verses 22-26, which we just read, can most directly be applied to how we, ourselves, should respond to what God has done, and right now in this day and age of man.

Going on to complete the Psalm…

27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all the families of the nations shall worship before You.
28 For the kingdom is the LORD's; and He is the ruler among the nations.
29 All the fat ones on the earth shall eat and worship; all those who go down to the dust shall bow before Him; and none can keep alive his own soul.
30 A seed shall serve Him; it shall be spoken of the LORD to the coming generation.
31 They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness to a people that shall yet be born, that He has done this.

So, with the conclusion of Psalm 22, we see the end result of Christ’s sacrifice; His rulership over all things with mankind turned toward him in worship and praise.

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So, why did Jesus cry out, “My God, My God, why have your forsaken me?” He was using a “remez” to DECLARE THE EXACT OPPOSITE!!!

Even possibly his very last exclamation, “It is finished”, could be a reference to the very same Psalm, Psalm 22, in no way disconnected from what initially looks like fear and doubt on the part of Jesus our Christ! Not disconnected because it could be dealing with the same subject; God’s SUPPORT of us!

Does God ever cease to become God? Could Jesus, who is God’s Son, who, Himself, is the Word who was made flesh, EVER actually experience a lack of faith? Could He EVER experience actual doubt? Of course not! NEVER!!!

Let’s turn to a scripture that reveals in no uncertain terms Jesus’ consistency, and it’s a promise we must hold on to with great tenacity day in and day out!

Hebrews 13: 7 Remember your leaders, who have spoken to you the Word of God. Follow their faith, considering the end of their conduct:
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever.

Christ provided to us in His last breaths as a man something very, very, very important to remember.

So, what does Hebrews 13:7-8 reveal? If Christ could have real doubts during His crucifixion, then this statement of consistency I just read could not be true. This provides all the more reason to delve into what Jesus’ apparent statement of doubt really meant.

• Psalm 22 is obviously a prophecy about the sacrifice of our messiah.
• Psalm 22 is a prophecy, too, of everything that results from that sacrifice; the establishment of the firstfruits and the establishment of Jesus as King on earth.
• And, finally, Psalm 22 is a solid state reminder of just what it means when God declares he will NEVER leave us or forsake us; that Jesus Christ will ALWAYS be with us – if only we will believe Him.

Let’s turn to a handful of scriptures to clearly establish that final point that Jesus was, is, and will always be with us.

Deuteronomy 31: 6 Be strong and of a good courage. Do not fear nor be afraid of them. For the LORD your God is He who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.
7 And Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage. For you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give it to them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.

8 And the LORD is He who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not fail you nor forsake you. Do not fear; nor be dismayed.

This is reemphasized to Joshua in the book of Joshua…

Joshua 1: 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed. For the LORD your God is with you in all places where you go.

As a side go back one verse to see what is associated with God’s favor…

Joshua 1: 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it by day and by night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall act wisely.

God is with those who follow Him, who seek to overcome and obey Him. This is an extremely important to remember.

Let’s turn to a couple more scriptures, because we need to understand clearly and believe just how constant God is in loving us and watching over us.

Hebrews 13: 5 Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, "Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you, never!"
6 so that we may boldly say, " The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me."

And, finally, what was Jesus’ final statement to His followers before He returned to be with His Father not again to return until He lays claim to the entire earth?

Matthew 28: 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in earth.
19 Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world.

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As I begin to conclude this message, it is my hope that this explanation and example of a “remez” has been useful and clear.

I strongly encourage you to visit the member.ucg.org website, select the link to search for sermons, type in the title field, “remez”, and you will find Mr. Scott Ashley’s comprehensive sermon on the use of this teaching tool. He does not discuss Psalm 22, so there is no real crossover except for the explanation of what a “remez” is.
For the sake of this particular message, though, beyond explaining what a “remez” is, most of all it is hoped that, in understanding this teaching tool, and that Jesus Himself used this teaching tool, we can not only be guided to see the meanings of Psalm 22 more fully, but that we can clearly understand Jesus’ focus on us even in His last breaths. He was in his last words obviously declaring the fulfillment of prophecy concerning His crucifixion, but also what that sacrifice would lead to, the calling of the saints and His return to rule on earth.

With that in mind, the major theme, threaded through the entire prophecy is found in the doubting question of the first verse of Psalm 22, and which is breathed without apparent explanation by Jesus on the crucifixion stake.

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Through His use of “remez” Jesus wanted to make something perfectly clear to you and me…

“I am now as I always was and ever will be. I will never leave you or forsake you.”