Psalm 22:7-8

All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

Psalm 22:7-8

Psalm 22, written approximately 1,000 years prior to Jesus’ birth, depicts the physical and emotional suffering that He would endure on the cross. This psalm describes the process of crucifixion centuries before it originated. It talked about the agony that Jesus would face, and it even describes the jeering and mockery of those that passed by on that Good Friday nearly 2,000 years ago. Because of sin, mankind is born into a state of enmity with God (Ephesians 2:15-16) (Romans 8:6-7), yet once sin entered the world, God prophesied a plan of redemption (Genesis 3:15).

God knew the rejection, mockery, ridicule, and suffering that His Son would face, but God is merciful and full of grace, allowing Jesus to suffer the punishment due to us for our sins. The Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:16) and the purest, deepest act of love in all of history was exhibited on the cross, both by the Father sending His Son and by Jesus willingly dying for us. Take a moment to refresh yourself in the knowledge of this love, and may you step out today in joy in Him.

Pastor Jeff Mericle