“All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: ‘He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.’” Psalm 22:7-8

You might be surprised that as we get closer to Christmas the devotions are more reminiscent of Good Friday. We are looking for choirs of angels singing as we are getting betrayal, mocking, suffering, and death. I can’t apologize because this IS what it’s all about. It is all about Good Friday. Jesus came to die for us. He came to experience all the pain and suffering that sin causes so we wouldn’t have to.

In these two verses we are given the prediction of the religious leaders mocking Jesus at the foot of the cross. They looked up at Jesus. They heard Him speak. But they did not believe a word of it. They began to mock and hurl insults at him. How painful it must have been to be mocked by the very people for whom He was suffering and dying. Have you ever been completely misunderstood? Have the motives of your words and deeds been twisted to a point that their true meaning was lost? Look at Jesus and remain true to yourself. Follow Jesus’ example as He saw and heard their misinterpretation but continued to do what was right. There is really no other option.

On the other hand, if you have been to the foot of the cross at other times and mocked its depth and meaning, I invite you to come again. Look with eyes of faith to the Savior of the World. Even His mocking and suffering were predicted in prophecies written centuries before He came into the world. The truth of the matter is that everyone has to come to the cross. On the last day, what you believe about the events of Good Friday and Easter morning is the only thing that matters.

This Christmas, please pray for spiritual sight that is broad and deep enough to see that the message of Christmas is also the message of the cross and the empty tomb.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church