While on the cross, Jesus uttered the words, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). However, this was not merely a cry of anguish. It was actually the opening phrase of Psalm 22.
That psalm prophesied of the suffering Messiah, describing one who appeared to be forsaken by God, was surrounded by evildoers, was pierced in his hands and feet, and had his clothing divided (Psalm 22:1-18). The timing of Jesus’ statement is significant.
Just before this, the chief priests and elders mocked Jesus by saying, “He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him” (Matthew 27:43). The psalmist used these same words to describe the taunts hurled at the sufferer (Psalm 22:8). This was after the soldiers “divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots” (Matthew 27:35), which was also foretold in the same prophetic psalm (Psalm 22:18).
David wrote that psalm hundreds of years before the death of Christ. Yet he was able to accurately prophesy about the events that took place during Jesus’ crucifixion. The only way to account for this is to recognize that this was written by divine inspiration.
So remember that Jesus’ enemies helped fulfill prophecies of Him. Those who tried to destroy Him for claiming to be the Son of God unwittingly helped to confirm His identity as the promised Messiah. We can have confidence that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.