Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Way of the Cross (19)

As we continue to reflect on the crucifixion from Psalm 22, David (and ultimately David's greater Son) contrasts his fathers with his own situation. Previously, when his fathers trusted in the LORD, the LORD delivered them. They were rescued and not put to shame.

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; "He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him." (Psalm 22:6-8)

Behold the man upon a cross, we sing, yet there was no dignity in what the Lord Jesus went through for us. More like a worm than a man. Despised, mocked - by mankind and his people. He came to his own, and his own did not receive him; more than that, they shamefully treated him.

Once again, we see the terrible irony of the cross in those taunts - even as Jesus was obeying and trusting his Father, the one thing that could not happen was rescue or ease. For Jesus to have been rescued or delivered from the cross, our punishment would not have been borne, our sins would still condemn us.

As we'll see later, it was the will of the LORD to crush him, for our sake - the beloved Son, the one in whom the Father delights, is the atoning sacrifice to make us acceptable and pleasing to God. What a love, what a cost!

No comments:

Post a Comment