SUFFERING AND GLORY
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Psalm 22:6 |
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I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men and despised of the people. KJV |
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. NIV |
Psalm 22 is a Psalm that should be approached with the utmost seriousness and devotion. It is a Psalm that stands on the Holiest of ground. When reading it, you will find yourself at Golgotha where Jesus Christ gave Himself for all of mankind.
The Psalmist captures the dreadful scene perfectly when he describes the awful truth that Jesus was completely forsaken by God, and He was despised and rejected by the very people He came to save.
A WORM – Speaks of His HUMILIATION
- Jesus was criticised and despised by the very people He created.
- He came to His own and they received Him not.
- In His HUMILIATION His judgment was taken away.
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Isaiah 1:18 |
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“Come now, let us reason together,” saith the Lord: “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” KJV |
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” NIV |
Scarlet or Crimson is a colour that was highly prized as a symbol of wealth and position, but its brilliance symbolized Israel’s glaring sin against God.
The Scarlet Worm is a small insect, the female of which clings to a tree and feeds on it. She dies covering her eggs with her body for protection. As the mother Crimson worm dies, she oozes a crimson or scarlet red dye which not only stains the wood she is attached to, but also her young. They keep this colour for the rest of their lives.
Three days after she dies, the carcass of the scarlet worm becomes white and waxen and falls off the wood like a snowflake! How beautiful this blends in with what Isaiah tells us!
So, let us connect the dots to this amazing truth.
- All those who have put their trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are covered by His Body and marked by His precious Blood!
- We grow by feeding on His Body!
Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you… 1 Corinthians 11:24 - By doing this, ALL believers are marked forever with the crimson stain of His Blood and His victory at the Cross.
- Even though our sins may be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.
- All this and much more are not because of anything we have done, but by what He has done!
How beautiful the Word of God is, from cover to cover, throughout the Scriptures, it all points to the Saviour.
- For Satan and men, the throne is a goal, both wanting to be on top.
- For Christ, it was a destiny.
- What they grasped for, He let go.
- Jesus chose to come down so that we might go up.
All praise be to His Holy Name!