They Shoot Out the Lip, They Shake the Head (Psalm 22:7-8)

2023-11-24

All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. (Psalm 22:7-8)

And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. (Matthew 27:39-44)

Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. (Mark 15:32)

As in many other cases, the psalmist was David writing about his own experience, but he also foretold the experience of Jesus. This psalm said that the Christ would be mocked, saying that God would save Him if He truly pleased Him. This is exactly how it transpired. Jesus was mocked in this way on the cross, since Jesus had said that He was the Son of God. However, the religious leaders said this as a way for Jesus to “prove” that He was the Christ and the Son of God. They would surely believe if He came down, right?

Jesus did not come down from the cross. He must die for the sins of the world. He must prove His death by having His side pierced and be buried for three days. But then He rose from the dead. Was that good enough for these chief priests? Those same priests, after the tomb guards told them that they saw the angel take away the stone of the tomb, did this:

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. (Matthew 28:11-13)

And when the resurrection was reaffirmed by the once-timid apostles, now preaching boldly:

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. (Acts 4:13-14)

No, they did not want Jesus to “prove” His Sonship, for they would never submit to Him anyway. And it is the same for so many today, after knowing all these fulfilled prophecies.

If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:31)