Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Psalm 37. 

TEXT: He trusts in the Lord; let Him deliver him; let Him
rescue him, for He delights in him! (Psalm 22:8).

We saw the childish mockery of the Jewish crowds
yesterday. But surely we can expect a more dignified
response from the Jewish leaders. As it turns out, their
mockery may be more sophisticated, but it is no less
childish. They urge Jesus to throw His concerns on His
Father, to plead with Him to deliver Him from His suffering,
"Let Him deliver Him; let Him rescue Him."

They laugh to each other, knowing God had said, "If a man
has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put
to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not
remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the
same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God" (see
Deuteronomy 21:22-23). To their minds God would never
permit an innocent man to be crucified, so Jesus could
hardly be God's Son. God could not possibly delight in a
man He has cursed and forsaken!

Now step back and compare their words with those written
by the prophet David: "He trusts in the Lord; let Him deliver
him; let Him rescue him, for He delights in him!"

"He trusts in God; let God deliver Him now, if He desires
Him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God'" (Matthew 27:43).

It is striking that the very words they say match this
prophecy of the Messiah so closely. Their own thoughtless
mockery testifies that Jesus is indeed the Messiah they
have rejected-just as He was predicted through David. Yet
He has become a curse by being crucified to free them from
God's curse.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for becoming a curse for me
that I may live under Your eternal blessings. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

PLAYGROUND STUNTS

Read Psalm 89:38-52. 

TEXT: All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me;
they wag their head (Psalm 22:7).

Yesterday we saw how the enemies gathered before Jesus'
cross acted like children around an injured worm. Today we
see them doing another thing children do: they mock, make
mouths at Him, and wag their heads. Note how closely this
prophecy matches Matthew's description: "And those who
passed by derided Him, wagging their heads and saying,
'You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three
days, save Yourself!'" (See Matthew 27:39-40).

None of us went through childhood without encountering
mockery. You can hear that insulting, imitative voice as one
child takes another's words and turns it back against him.
Most of us manage to outgrow it though. Maybe that's why
it's so shocking to see the Jewish crowds turning Jesus' own
words against Him in mockery: "You who would destroy the
temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are
the Son of God, come down from the cross."

These Jews are making their way into Jerusalem to
celebrate the Jewish Feast of Passover. But far from pitying
Jesus or feeling any compassion for Him they make faces
at the Lord, as they pass Him on their way to town. Like
cruel children they mockingly imitate the uncontrollable
grimaces covering His face as His body is racked with pain.
They shoot out their lips in contempt, then open their mouths
wide, staring at Him in shock and disgust. They wag their
heads from side to side, doubting He is in His right mind
when He claims to be God's Son, the King of the Jews.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, You endured such childish mockery
and cruelty to save us from our sin. Thank You for winning
our full and free forgiveness. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Read Psalm 119: 137-144.

TEXT: But I am ... scorned by mankind and despised by
the people (see Psalm 22:6).

Jesus' enemies surround His cross like cruel children who
have stepped on a worm and now laugh as they watch it
wriggling and writhing in pain.
 
The Roman soldiers standing watch over Him treat Him with
shame and contempt. They stripped and flogged Him,
crowned Him with thorns, and mocked and ridiculed His
claim to be King of the Jews. They forced Him to carry His
cross and nailed His hands and feet to it. On the cross they
mock Him, holding their sour wine just outside His reach
and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
(See Luke 23:36-37.)

It's not surprising the Romans would scorn Him, but what
about His own people? Wouldn't they recognize Him as their
God, their Messiah? No. They despised Him. Months before
His neighbors in His home town of Nazareth tried to throw
Him off a cliff to His death (see Luke 4:28-30). Later, Jews
in Jerusalem tried to stone Him (see John 8:59). Just a few 
hours earlier His own High Priest Caiaphas summoned false
witnesses against Him. Then when He was taken before
Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas acted as prosecutor to pressure the
Roman governor to condemn Him to death.
 
When they finally got their way and Jesus was hanging from
the cross you might think they'd have the decency to leave
Him be. But no, they stand before Him scoffing and saying,
"He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ of
God, His Chosen One!" (See Luke 23:35.)

He can't save Himself. He's bleeding and dying on the cross
to save them -- and us.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, while the Romans and Jews stood beneath
You, mocking and ridiculing, You were shedding Your precious
blood to pay for their sins. Forgive my sins and strengthen my
faith in You. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)