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.”
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.
Victory in Jesus
Lyrics written by E. M. Bartlett, 1939
“Victory in Jesus” was the final song E. M. Bartlett wrote. The hymn also became his best known and most embraced song. The song is an optimistic reminder of the hope of heaven. In the second stanza, there are references to the healing ministry of Christ.
“I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.
Chorus
“O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I” heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow’r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and bro’t
To me the victory.
“I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there
The song of victory.”
Words and Music by E.M. Bartlett
© 1939 – Administrated by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.
All rights reserved
Victory in Jesus, The Peasall Sisters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGq0J9IGmxQ
Beverlee: This song is wonderful and it touches my heart . I first heard it from our seniors pastor he loved to sing and share his love of the Lord . He was an amazing man unfortunately he passed away 2 years ago in December. He wasn’t even sixty he died on a Thursday his daughter’s wedding was on the Saturday . They had the service and I was amazed that his dear sweet wife walked her down the aisle. Such an amazing family they did their grieving afterwards but they knew without a doubt that he was with his Lord .
He is missed so much by so many.
God Blessings to all. Eleanor M.
Wow Eleanor! Bless his heart. Praise God the Lord was with his daughter and wife and family through the wedding. Surely her dad was watching. Amen. Glad it brought back such loving memories for your pastor.
I also used to sing that hymn which I love so much,but don’t hear too often. Thank you so much . May God richly bless you.
May God richly bless you, Blessed. Amen.
Great song, Beverlee. So good to hear the choruses we sang over the years. Iran is VERY close to being able to launch missals many thousands of miles. Drones are also advanced creations (as per CBN today). God is our Shield and Buckler. Elections Canada 🇨🇦 on Monday. Praying for God’s guidance in voting. Blessings all. Amen
Yes beautiful song Beverlee!
Somehow I find it comforting that Jesus in His humanity also at times asked “why?”
I have had times in my life where I’d cry out to God that very question, and I’m a little ashamed to say that I would feel as if I was being picked on.
Yet somehow even tho our Father didn’t answer all of my questions, or situations necessarily changed, His reassurance that I was His beloved child (as we all are) just grew and grew!
Our Father has us all in the palm of His hands… Oh how blessed we are!
Praying along with you all for the election on Monday!
I haven’t heard that hymn in ages, Beverlee. One of my favourites.
It’s good to hear from you ladies, you all make my day.
Jesus walks beside me and us all the day long. He is awesome.
Amen Nan, Anne and Doreen.
Yes Doreen, May the Lord guide all of us regarding how we vote.
God, be merciful to us and our great country!
Thank you to all who participate in this blog. It helps to encourage and connect us to each other. God bless all of you!