WHY?
Today’s Reading: Psalms 21-22
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Church of Annunciation in Nazareth is spectacular, and when the light enters through the stained glass, the beauty of man’s expression through sculpting can be seen. Moses had the sculpture of a serpent placed on a pole foreshadowing the fact that Jesus took our sins and sicknesses upon Himself on the Cross (Numbers 21:7-9, also John 3:14,15). Today’s reading, which clearly details the crucifixion of Jesus, was written hundreds of years before the Romans had even devised this specific means of excruciating death.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 22:16b-17
They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me…
In today’s reading, Psalm 21 communicates the joy we experience in the knowledge of God’s strength. When the Apostle Paul was struggling, God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect (complete) in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a). In Psalm 22 we learn that the Saviour took our weaknesses on Himself so that He may make us strong.
Jesus quoted from Psalm 22 as He suffered on the Cross. He cried out the words given to David as a prophecy of the suffering Messiah, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46 “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”). Jesus, in His humanity, asked, “Why?” We are learning the answer to His question as we read God’s Word daily. There are many other references in Psalm 22 to death by crucifixion. Crucifixion was unknown for hundreds of years after David’s time, yet he wrote, “They pierced My hands and feet” (Psalm 22:16b). We read in that Psalm at least eight statements which refer to the words and events spoken and experienced by Jesus on the Cross. A number of New Testament readings illustrate the truth of David’s prophecy. Here’s just one reading for us (John 19:20-24). Compare that with Psalm 22:18, “They divide My garments among them and for My clothing they cast lots.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You revealed the sufferings of the Messiah King to the shepherd king in advance. I pray that You will reveal to me in a new way the historical fact of the crucifixion of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I humbly bow at the foot of Jesus’ Cross. Lord Jesus, You did this because of Your love for me and for all people throughout all time. I give my life to You as the best way I can express my love to You. As David sang, “A posterity shall serve Him” (22:30), and his last words in Psalm 22, “They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has done this.” Lord Jesus, here I am. Please help me to declare this fact to everyone who will read and listen. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m overwhelmed just now as I think of the dozens of places in the Hebrew Scriptures where the sufferings of Jesus are foretold. No one else who ever lived could step into the fulfilment of these prophecies. The first one was written by Moses in Genesis 3:15, where the “Seed of the woman” would be bruised. Throughout all of Holy Scripture, the seed was, without exception, from a man. Isaiah, of the tribe of Judah, wrote hundreds of years before Jesus was born of the virgin, “Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” On page 113 of my book, This Far By Faith, I tell a story that illustrates the power of the prophetic Scriptures. If any blog readers don’t have this book yet, just call Crossroads and ask for it. A donation to cover costs would be appreciated. Here’s how to get a book.
Yours for declaring that “He has done this!”
David
P.S. I came across a beautiful rendition of the hymn that begins, “Alas, and did my Saviour bleed and did my Sovereign die…” by Isaac Watts. We don’t know David’s melody for “The Deer of the Dawn” to which Psalm 22 was originally sung. Click here for the Sharon Singers and this unique rendition of “At The Cross” with a different melody. Be blessed; meditate on Jesus’ sufferings on our behalf, and share the blessings.
The song playing in my head, this morning is shout to the north and the south, sing to the east and the west, Jesus is Saviour to all, Lord of heaven and earth. What better comfort than that, dear saints, after meditating on the last words of Jesus, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Considering the agony of physical suffering, utter loneliness and feeling of abandonment that we human sinners experience when we fall into the snares of sin and struggle to carry our own crosses in life, how could Jesus not cry out those words? Though He died sinless, he carried the weight of the sins of all humanity on his torn battered and whipped shoulders. The ultimate sacrifice so that we may be set free and forgiven of our sins and granted the gift of salvation and eternal life. Thank You, our dear Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, from the bottom of our hearts. You are our everything and we praise You on high, forevermore. Blessings dearest saints.
Shout to the North
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctc3GqWaV3U
As the Deer Panteth for the Water
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn2_yZt0exU
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship thee
You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship thee
You’re my friend and you are my brother
Even though you are a king
I love you more than any other
So much more than anything
You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship thee
I want you more than gold or silver,
only you can satisfy.
You alone are the real joygiver
and the apple of my eye.
You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship you
Psalm 22
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”(John 3:16). Thank you Jesus for what you have done for us. Shared this on Facebook this morning. Thank you David and Beverlee for the songs.
Amen David! I give my life to You Lord Jesus! ‘Tis all that I can do!!
HE DID ALL FOR ME!!! FOR YOU!!! FOR THE WORLD!!! BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE!!!! PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!! PRAISE YOU JESUS!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! AMEN!!!
I LOVE YOU LORD, AND I LIFT MY VOICE TO WORSHIP YOU, OH MY SOUL REJOICE; TAKE JOY MY KING IN WHAT YOU HEAR, MAY IT BE A SWEET SOUND IN YOUR EAR!!!
Should I look upon the cross with fear
knowing it should be me hanging there?
Should I look upon the cross with shame
knowing my sins are to blame?
Should I look upon the cross and weep
knowing how much pain on you I’ve heaped?
Should I force my downcast eyes to look above
knowing all I will see on that cross is perfect love?
Should I look upon the cross expecting horror and disgust
only to be surprised by an act of beauty, so pure and just
that my will heart bursts within my breast
knowing no words, no rhyme, no melody
could express the sight of you giving me your best?
Should I look upon the cross, do I dare
knowing I will be challenged by how you much care?
Should I look upon the cross, never to be
the person I was once I have seen, you dying there for me?
Should I look upon the cross
knowing what it might be cost?
Humbly , I must confess
the answer to the question should I look,
is yes.
Thank you Rev. David for your faithfulness in providing this manna each morning!!! I pray continued health for you and your loved ones.
Bless you Beverlee for the lyrics to “As the Deer Panteth for the Water”
God bless you, Irene, dear sister-in-Christ!
This hymn is #386 in th Believers Hymn Book. I am writing it from memory so forgive me if I make a mistake, this is one of my favourites.
Glory to Thee, Thou Son of God Most High, All praise to Thee.
Glory to Thee, enthroned above the sky, who died for me.
High on Thy throne, Thine ear, Lord Jesus bend,
As grateful hearts now to Thyself ascend.
Deep were Thy sorrows, Lord, when heaven frowned, Gesthemene.
Blood like Thy sweat, Lord, falling to the ground, so heavily.
Dark was the night, but heaven was darker still,
Oh, Christ my God, is this the Fathers will?
Thorns wreathed Thy brow, when hanging on the tree, mans cruelty.
Why lavish love, like this, Oh Lord on me? Thou lovest me
Would that my soul could understand,
It’s length, depth, height and everlasting strength.
Like shore less seas, Thy love can know no bounds, Thou lovest me.
Deep, vast, immense, unfathomed, Lord, profound. Lord I love Thee.
And when above, my crown is at Thy feet,
I’ll praise Thee still for Calvary’s mercy seat.
God bless you, Mary, I had been looking for this beautiful hymn for a long while, and I’m so pleased to have found it. Thank you, so much.
the serpent on the pole I believe this is a medical insigna?