Don’t Miss the Point!

The Messiah of God died for everyone’s sin. At the time of Jesus, the Roman Empire controlled Israel and every nation whose coast touched the Mediterranean Sea. The Romans had total dominance over these nations. Under the authority of the Roman Leader, Pontius Pilate, Jesus was tortured and killed on a tree according to the prophetic Scriptures. Yet even though it was by the human authority and hands of the Romans that Jesus was killed, we all have responsibility for His death. The Jewish Messiah loves everyone. We don’t need to be born of Jewish ancestry to receive His blessings.

Jesus came first for the Jews’ salvation, and yet, He also came for the Gentiles. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Some Biblical Foreshadowing

Many Scriptures predict a redeemer for the people of God. Some Biblical foreshadowing reminds us that the Lord God Almighty had a purpose in sending the Messiah as a willing sacrifice for humanity’s sin. Genesis 3:15 predicts that the offspring of the woman will crush the head of the serpent. Isaiah 7:14 predicts that a son named Immanuel will be born to a virgin. Isaiah 53:5-6 predicts that the Messiah will be pierced for human transgressions and that the Lord will lay the sin of all on Him. Psalm 22:16-18 describes his suffering and even the details of his clothing being divided by the soldiers as they cast lots.

The Two Natures of the Messiah: Fully God and Fully Human

Psalm 22 describes the human suffering of the Messiah. It is a mirror of the human suffering at the crucifixion of the Son of God. As Jesus took the sins of others upon Himself, He cried out and quoted the opening words of Psalm 22:1: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Can you imagine what this moment was like for the Holy Son of God and the Holy Father? God cannot stand to look upon sin. Our sin on Jesus had cut off, for the first time, the consistent spiritual union of the Holy Father and the Son of God. Jesus knew this moment would come as He took our sin upon Himself. Jesus and the Holy Father suffered as Jesus took on our sins. The Holy Father knew what He was asking His Son to do for humanity. Our humble, holy God willingly suffered for us spiritually as God the Father. Can you imagine having to close your eyes to the suffering of your only son? Can you imagine having to turn your back on your son, because you could not look at the sin that he had become responsible for? Jesus suffered spiritually as God and physically as a human being. We cannot begin to fully comprehend what God has done for us until we stand before Him and understand how much He loves us. Until we can understand how much He was willing to suffer for us.

Pray for Understanding

Psalm 22:1-10 (KJV) “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. 10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.”

Pray for Redemption

Psalm 22:11-20 (KJV) “11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. 19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. 21 Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.”

Pray for Purpose

Psalm 22:22-31 (KJV) “22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. 23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. 24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. 25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. 26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. 27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. 28 For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations. 29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul. 30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. 31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.”

Follow The Plan

Jesus knew He would not suffer in vain. He knew that only He could do what God had called Him to do. Only Jesus was without any sin. God loved humanity so much that He was willing to self-sacrifice and suffer for us to be saved. God planned that the Lamb of God would pay the price for everyone’s sin. John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Remember, when you are pointing fingers at others, don’t miss the point: Jesus died because of you. You are responsible for the suffering and death of Christ Jesus. Let Him lead you as He led the Disciples. We can only follow the plan God has for us as an individual when we follow Jesus. Follow the plan that God has for you. Seek to have a personal relationship with Jesus and the Holy Father. The Holy Spirit of God will live within your heart and help you if you ask. Celebrate your freedom and praise God For what He has done for you!

Pray

Holy Father, help me to turn honestly and completely towards You through faith in Christ Jesus. Forgive me for the things I have done that offended You. Forgive me for the things that I did not do according to Your will for me. Your will be done in me. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace through Jesus Christ! Jesus, I am free from all of my sin because You have set me free. Help me celebrate my victory and follow You as an act of love. Come, fill me, and live in my heart and soul through Your Holy Spirit. Cover me in Your righteousness and empower me to bear good fruit for Your namesake. In Christ Jesus’ holy name, I joyfully pray. Amen.