Saint Louis, Missouri, United States - 2014 Daily Lenten Devotion "PLAYGROUND STUNTS" Friday, 21 March 2014 - Read Psalm 89:38-52

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States - 2014 Daily Lenten Devotion "PLAYGROUND STUNTS" Friday, 21 March 2014 - Read Psalm 89:38 But you have rejected and spurned.
    You have been angry with your anointed.
39 You have renounced the covenant of your servant.
    You have defiled his crown in the dust.
40 You have broken down all his hedges.
    You have brought his strongholds to ruin.
41 All who pass by the way rob him.
He has become a reproach to his neighbors.
42 You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries.
    You have made all of his enemies rejoice.
43 Yes, you turn back the edge of his sword,
    and haven’t supported him in battle.
44 You have ended his splendor,
    and thrown his throne down to the ground.
45 You have shortened the days of his youth.
    You have covered him with shame.
Selah.
46 How long, Yahweh?
    Will you hide yourself forever?
    Will your wrath burn like fire?
47 Remember how short my time is!
    For what vanity have you created all the children of men!
48 What man is he who shall live and not see death,
    who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?[a]
Selah.
49 Lord, where are your former loving kindnesses,
    which you swore to David in your faithfulness?
50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants,
    how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the mighty peoples,
51 With which your enemies have mocked, Yahweh,
    with which they have mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.
52 Blessed be Yahweh forever more.
Amen, and Amen.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 89:48 Sheol is the place of the dead.
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.  
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