In our last message on Psalm 22 we talked about the loneliness Jesus experienced on the cross and today we will think about the cruel mocking; the ridicule, the scoffing, jeering or hate speech.
We are using PSALM 22 in our communion services and today we are on verses 12-13…NIV
Many bulls surround Me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle Me.
Roaring lions that tear their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
Introduction
[1] David wrote this Psalm 1,000 years before Christ was crucified and yet it is the most graphic description of a crucifixion in the bible, history.
[2] David wrote this Psalm over 600 years before crucifixion even existed. Crucifixion was invented by the Persians between 300-400 years before Christ and the Romans picked it up and perfected it because it was such a deterrent to crime and rebellion. It was a slow death by torture.
[3] This Psalm is not about David. Whereas it is true that David suffered, he did not suffer what is described in this Psalm. No one has, other than Jesus.
I want to read the text again, this time in the NLT…
My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!
Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey.
We are all going to die, some of us sooner than others and I don’t know about you but I want to be surrounded but not by my enemies. I want to be surrounded by love ones and friends. The atmosphere in which Jesus suffered and died was hostile; yea even cruel.
Jesus was loved in Galilee but hated in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was home to the Jewish religious establishment. The Pharisees were the middle and higher middle class. They were devout in their religion but they loved money and the praise of men. Jesus had some converts among them but not many. Above them was the ruling class, the elites, the Sadducees. They were more political than spiritual. They controlled the wealth {all were filthy rich}, the priesthood, the temple and the Sanhedrin. They had tremendous power. They practiced the golden rule, he who has the gold rules.
Jesus was not popular among the Pharisees but the Sadducees hated Him and wanted Him dead. This group had no scruples, no convictions, no mercy and no conscience. They were ruthless.
When Jesus entered the city on passion week, He knew He was walking into the jaws of the lion. Incredibly, Jesus did not flinch. He knew what would happen and yet He did not fear.
The physical agony that Jesus endured on the cross if far more than I can imagine. The Romans knew how to drive the nails through the nerves. Nerve pain is excruciating. It shoots fire all over the body. I had a cortisone shoot in the heal about 25 years ago and I screamed; everyone in the clinic heard me. The first thing that popped into my mind after the shoot was over was Jesus agony on the cross.
But that is only one aspect of His suffering: he was surrounded by scoffers and haters. They came to enjoy, to celebrate His suffering. They laughed at Him, mocked Him, ridiculed Him.
Today we stop and pause: remembering His death, His agony, His suffering and all the horrible abuse He took for oursakes.
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you. [pause] This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many, for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Redeemed–how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the LAMB!
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.
Benediction
May The Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Sermons 