8 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning?”
Psalm 22:1 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
A couple of days ago, I preached the sermon at the Camp Gilead Easter Sunrise Service. In that sermon, I focused on Luke 24:13-49 where Jesus spent some time with disciples on their way home to Emmaus on the day He rose from the dead.
I spent a little extra time explaining Luke 24:27 (because I LOVE that verse!).
Luke 24:27 (CSB): “Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.”
That verse makes it clear that Jesus revealed to those disciples the amazing truths found in the Old Testament that pointed to the Messiah, to Jesus. So many people fail to realize that every page of the Old Testament points to Jesus.
If you want to read some articles I have previously written about this, click here and here.
In our Bible reading today, we made our way through Psalm 22. I can’t help but think that your eyes widened as you read Psalm 22:1. He said those words on the cross!
Psalm 22:1 (CSB): “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning?”
Do you remember in the account of Jesus’ crucifixion how He was placed on the cross and then offered a sponge that was soaked in “wine mixed with myrrh”?
Mark 15:22-23 (CSB): “They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull). They tried to give him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.”
That initial drink was a narcotic. It would have deadened Jesus’ pain. It also would have diminished his ability to think clearly. He refused it.
Why?
Because He wanted to experience, to the full, the extent of God’s wrath that was placed upon Him. He would bear the full brunt of the Father’s judgment that should have been ours.
But, He also wanted to think clearly so as to continue complying with all of the Old Testament Scriptures that would pertain to Him. He needed His full mental faculties so as to remember and quote Psalm 22:1.
Jesus was offered another drink roughly 6 hours later. This one He accepted.
John 19:28-30 (CSB): “After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now finished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, he said, ‘I’m thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it up to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.”
This second and final drink wasn’t a narcotic. Instead, it was a drink that satisfied thirst and could prolong the torment of the cross. Jesus drank it.
Why?
Because His work on the cross was completed. All Scripture that applied to Him had now been fulfilled. He needed only to say two more things: “It is finished,” and say with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46, quoting Psalm 31:5). Because He would have been horribly dehydrated by this time, He needed liquid so that He could proclaim those two things “with a loud voice.”
I want to draw out two points as I bring this article to a conclusion:
- When you read the Bible, including all of the Old Testament, look for Jesus. He is everywhere! Be fascinated by the second person of the Godhead and look for Him everywhere on the pages of Scripture.
- When you pick up your Bible, see it as what it is – a Book like no other that has God as its Author. It is multi-layered and you will never, ever plumb its depths. If you commit to studying it, you will never, ever reach a point where you have exhausted its ability to continually fascinate you. There will always be more gold deeper in the mountain to be discovered!
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Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word. I continue to see how fascinating it is. I want to know You and know Your Word more. I realize that this will require intentional discipline on my part but I am willing to do what it takes to get more joy for myself. Thank You for blessing me as I follow and obey and know You more. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 