Forsaken

O. T. #1194  "Forsaken"
April 20, 2018
Psalms 22
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

LET IT GLOW

Have you been made fun of because of your faith in Christ? Has it ever seemed like you were surrounded by a herd of bulls, roaring lions? Were your enemies attacking you so fierce that your heart melted like wax? Christ and David did. David writes a description of himself as well as that of Christ on the cross coming later.

Many of the psalms describe in detail events of the life and death of Christ, the Promised Messiah of Israel. Jesus quoted from the Psalms. Almost everything that happened at the Crucifixion and final hours were prophesied in Psalms. As references were made hundreds of years earlier before it actually occurred, we can read of the fulfillment in the New Testament.
We read this in:

• Jesus feeling that His Father God had forsaken Him (verse 1); 
• and was far away when He groaned for help. (Matthew 27:46)
• Relief does not come as desired. (verse 2)
• He considers himself a worm, not a man, but a reproach and despised by all. (verses 6-7)
• People laugh Christ to scorn shaking their head.
• He relies on the LORD, then let Him save this One; if He loves this One so much, then let Him be rescued, proving it. (verse 8)
• You have been my God from the moment of birth. (verse 10) God the Son and God the Father were not separated until Calvary.
• His enemies are surrounding Christ like a herd of bulls, roaring lions. (verses 12-13)

Christ could not comprehend all of that happened to Him as He hung on the cross. God did not forsake His Son in those moments, but Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for us. (2 Corinthians 5:21) God turned His back on the sin He hated, not the Son He loved. (Falwell)

God hears the cries of His children. He has the power to deliver, yet there are times He chooses not to do so. He always remains faithful. It would do us good if we remember that during our times of trouble.

LET IT GROW

How did Christ consider His life during His time on the cross, in verses 14-18?
His detailed descriptions were:

• Life poured out like water.
• Heart like melting wax.
• Strength as dry clay.
• Tongue sticks to the roof of the mouth.
• Laid in dust left for dead.
• Hands and feet are pierced.
• Bones can be counted.
• Garments are divided among the enemies.
• Dice is thrown for clothing.

As for me, it is difficult to imagine such agony that Christ endured on the cross. He did it for us, because He loved us that much. He who knew no sin became our sin so we did not have to pay for our sins. Grace and mercy! He spared us that agony eternally. He did this so we could be made right with God and experience forgiveness and love.

LET IT GO

May God receive glory for my suffering for Christ.
Thanks be to God for enduring all of that for me.
Remind myself that He has been watching over me with a shield of love from my birth.