HE HATH DONE IT

Psalm 22 is the song of suffering and glory. It describes in graphic detail the agonies of Calvary, reverently drawing back the veil which the N.T. places over the innermost thoughts of the Saviour. But it does not stop there, for the latter part is an outburst of praise, culminating in our key phrase, “he hath done this”. Significantly, on the cross the Lord Jesus quoted not only the first verse of the psalm, expressing His sufferings at the hand of God, Matt. 27. 46, but also the final word “done”, John 19. 30. And this was no cry of defeat, but a shout of triumph! When we ponder our salvation, it is from first to last a work of God, and should provoke wholehearted thanksgiving.

Consider the character of the work. It is divine, for the One who has done it can be none other than the Lord Himself, vv. 28, 30. The Lord Jesus appointed no deputy to take His place at Calvary, for it is His very deity that gives value to His work: “There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin”. It is also perfect, for can we imagine failure in that which our God does? Scrutinize the cross from every angle, and all is gloriously flawless! Further, it is complete, because “he hath done it” admits of no repetition. The once and for all character of Christ’s atoning death is the crucial message of Hebrews, “this man … offered one sacrifice for sins for ever”, Heb. 10. 12.

It is a righteous work, Psa. 22. 31, because the living God has in no way compromised His holy nature in providing a full salvation to believing sinners; on the contrary. Calvary declares God’s righteousness as never before, Rom. 3. 25, in that the full weight of divine wrath against sin was poured out on the Saviour. It is a proclaimed work, for those who come into the good of it are indebted to share such glad tidings, and to “declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born”. Do we? It is a praiseworthy work, stimulating adoration on the part of its beneficiaries, Psa. 52. 9. Finally, because “he hath done this”, it is eternal, for “whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever”, Eccl. 3. 14. Calvary is everlastingly sufficient!

“He hath done all things well”, Mark 7. 37.