Devotion for Monday 31/03/2025

Psalm 22:7-8 (NIV)

7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.

8 "He trusts in the Lord," they say, "let the Lord rescue him.

Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."

In the original context, David describes the insulting treatment he received from his foes when he felt abandoned by God (Psalm 22:1–2, 6). This serves as insight into David's angst, as well as a prediction about the suffering of the Promised One (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1).

While physical pain is real, emotional pain is just as real.

As this psalm accurately describes the brutal reality of the crucifixion of Christ, verses 7 and 8 here go on to describe the salt rubbed into the wounds! King David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, articulated the intense physical and emotional pain endured by our Lord on the cross.

These words describe precisely what Jesus would experience at the hands of those who despised Him. They would mock Him and part their lips to form a vicious grin (Psalm 35:21). They would also shake their heads to indicate His situation was hopeless.

Matthew 27:39–42 reports the insults Jesus received when He hung on the cross. Those who passed by wagged their heads and ridiculed His claim that He would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. They impudently called upon Him to support His claim to be the Son of God by coming down from the cross. The chief priests, scribes, and elders also mocked Him. They said He saved others but could not save Himself. Like the by-standing mob, they challenged Him to prove His messianic claim by coming down from the cross.

Some say that the evil one is totally despicable as he never plays fair and would add insult to injury. I am amazed at how accurately these prophetic words have been fulfilled.

As He died on the cross Jesus encountered the same sarcastic accusation from the religious leaders. They called out: "He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God'" (Matthew 27:43). The two robbers who were crucified with Jesus also mocked Jesus' trust in the Lord. Matthew 27:44 says they "also reviled him in the same way."

Of course, Jesus' heavenly Father delivered Him out of death by raising Him to life on the third day. The ultimate conclusion of this psalm is that God will not eternally abandon those He loves (Psalm 22:22).

In his address to the Jews at Pentecost, the apostle Peter proclaimed Jesus as having been delivered up for crucifixion by "the definite plan and foreknowledge of God" and raised up by God (Acts 2:23–24).

Let us be encouraged again by the superior wisdom and goodness of God. A well-known preacher once repeatedly shouted: “It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!” The night may be dark, but take heart, the dawn is breaking.

Have great and hope filled week ahead!