Between Earth and Heaven

“I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.” Psalm 22:17

The once healthy JESUS now hangs limply on the cross.  His body fragilely hanging with His bones easily seen as He is stretched out before the world to see.  His bones seem to be coming out of His skin!

As JESUS looks at the crowd He sees those that are watching Him, some with tears but many more with a look of satisfaction.  How could it ever come to this?  Why did it have to be this way? 

This is why JESUS came!  It was of His choosing and nothing would get in the way or change His course!  How could He have loved the world so much? Even those that had such contempt for Him?  He is pure love hanging for us between earth and Heaven!

I see Him hanging between earth and Heaven.

Suffering so much, so that I might be forgiven.

I don’t understand His intense love for me.

Filthy and polluted, what good could He see?

I’m withered and broken as I see and stare.

Knowing it was my sin that put Him there!

But I thank you LORD for what you have done.

You did what I couldn’t, new life has begun!

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

RABID DOGS

“For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.” Psalm 22:16

There was no word more sufficient to use to describe the viciousness of the accusers and tormentors of CHRIST, “DOGS”!  Rabid dogs that foamed at the mouth!, ready to pounce at any moment on the LAMB of GOD!

There was the religious, “the assembly of the wicked” that were there in their furry and disdain for JESUS who declared He was GOD embodied in man!  These were those that CHRIST called, “fools and blind”, “whited sepulchers full of dead mens bones”!

These ‘rabid dogs’ and ‘the assembly of the wicked’ didn’t disappear after the resurrection but are as present today as they were then. They are still accusing CHRIST, denying His deity and false accusing those that are indwelled with the HOLY SPIRIT!  They despise the Word of GOD while they claim to be from His household.  

They came from everywhere,

To accuse the SON of GOD.

The phony and the religious

And the rabid dog.

Their mouths were foaming

With their wicked intent.

Throwing accusations

On the SAVIOR, GOD had sent!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

He Hath Done This!

“My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.” Psalm 22:15

As I write my thoughts for each verse of the hundred and fifty Psalms I have found this twenty second Psalm the most difficult thus far.  It has helped me as never before to understand what JESUS went through for us, not only at the cross but during His thirty three years as man!

Each day I read of the horrific events He went through and I ask myself, will it ever end?  Of course I know it does, but this time I feel a little more of what JESUS must have felt.  Even tomorrow there will be more for me to encounter as the SAVIOR endures for all of us! 

I am amazed at the LORD’s timing!  I didn’t plan on this particular Psalm for this time of the year, but GOD arranged it during Easter!  Tomorrow I resume with thoughts of the rest of the Psalm but today I must jump to the last four words of it and be comforted with the resurrection and the destruction of death! “He hath done this!”

I feel you LORD while you’re on your way.

Toward a tortuous death, what can I say?

Description of what You have done for me.

Inexpressible thoughts from my heart for Thee!

O LORD You knew my sin and desperate state.

And yet my JESUS, You didn’t hesitate!

You continued on Your destructive, tortuous path

Not thinking of self but for my escape from wrath!

Thank You JESUS!!!

“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” Acts 17:2-3

Totally Exhausted

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.” Psalm 22:14

We must understand because of the humanity of CHRIST, He felt the same effects as any other man would from the cruelty He was given.  We make a mistake when we assume because He was both man and GOD that it was different for Him!  

JESUS willingly put on full humanity placing on Himself both the mental and physical characteristics we have.  This verse expresses the total exhaustion He took upon Himself for us!  

I don’t believe there has ever been a person born that has ever faced the same type of suffering JESUS did for us!  When you feel down because of your trials, look up and find your relief in JESUS who became totally exhausted for you!

I’m weak as water, My legs have no strength.

My pain just continues to such a great length!

This sorrow and heartache continues on and on.

With sweat drops of blood, My FATHER let it be gone!

Oh but I must to show My love for all souls

I must make Calvary, it’s the end of My goals!

”And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”  Luke 22:44

Times of Rejection

“They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.” Psalm 22:13

The very people CHRIST came to heal could not accept the veracity of His words.  Their mouths were opened in dismay as He declared Himself Deity! They turned themselves on Him as if He was their prey, viciously coming with their attacks!

Do not expect the world to fall down in front of you when you declare the wonderful Gospel of the SAVIOR, but rather understand these times don’t come as often as we would like.  Times of rejection will come more often then the salvation of souls.  

Rejection should never deter the believer from presenting CHRIST as we are exhorted by Him to do.  You never fail when you witness!  On the other hand, you do fail when you aren’t a witness for Him!

O the rejection from the ones He loved!

How could this be given to the SAVIOR of love?

Hideous words that came from their lips 

Cursing His deity and striking with whips.

O but this didn’t stop the SAVIOR of grace.

He marched on to Calvary and took our place!

So now when you feel you aren’t doing so good

Tell the story of JESUS as you know you should!

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Raging Bulls

“Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.” Psalm 22:12

Out of Bashan, the land of the “Rephaim” where all things grew big came the raging bulls!   This a description of the enormous and hateful opposition JESUS faced when He became the GOD-Man for you and me!

These large bulls that foamed at the mouth, came as the high priest and the religious, condemning the very SON of GOD!  

As believers would be amiss to think these same types of opposition won't come our way!

They dig their feet into the ground

Their heads are lowered with snorts.

They foam at the mouth with anger sure.

Their words are full of distorts!

But through it all we will prevail,

As our SAVIOR did!

They don’t stand a chance against our GOD

Our destruction CHRIST will forbid!

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”  1 Peter 4:12-13

The One Called Along Side

“Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.” 

Psalm 22:11

JESUS was cast from the womb and thrown into a wicked world that the “prince of the power of the air”, Satan the devil had the influence over!  Yes He was GOD but also man and would have to face all that we do in our lives. He would have to have the victory over sin and in the end death!  

JESUS was aware of the enemy He was to face, He knew because of His manhood that He needed the presence of the FATHER.  “Be not far from me; for trouble is near.” CHRIST knew the need.  All would leave Him, some would deny him either in word or in action and Judas would betray Him.  Even at the end on the cross the FATHER would turn His back to Him!

When we have placed our trust in CHRIST and are “born-again” we too are thrust into a world full of wickedness.  We also must say, Be not far from me; for trouble is near”.  But never fear, you will never walk alone.  

Oh such weakness I have 

Without my GOD.

My enemies He will break 

With the power of His rod!

He watches over me

Like the hen to her chicks.

He’ll put me under His wing

I’ll feel none of their pricks!

When the trumpet sounds

We will meet in the sky.

We’ll glide up to Heaven

Where JESUS will reunify!

What a day that will be…

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” John 14:16

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b

A Mission Made Possible

“I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.”  Psalm 22:10

The SON was thrown or cast forth from the womb of Mary with a mission from the FATHER.  A mission no other man would be able to accomplish!  Only the totally sinless Savior could complete such a task!

He face the scrutiny of the religious and the hate and cruelty of the world.  He came to save man from their sin, dying for them on the cross.  He faced every temptation common to man and yet He sinned not!  

He declared the FATHER as GOD from the beginning. Even in the end as the FATHER turned His back on Him, because of our sin, He acknowledges Him yet, as His Father!  

CHRIST had a purpose given by GOD

When He was cast from His mothers womb.

He faced the hatred of men that He came to save.

He showed us grace, and it led Him to the tomb!

For those that have accepted His marvelous grace

He has now given the mission to you.

Tell the world of His love and forgiveness of sin.

How He took your place, forgiveness He’ll give you to!

“Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”  Acts 10:40-43

Safety and Hope

“But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.” Psalm 22:9

No one really knows the thoughts JESUS may have had while on the cross.  Some have said He was thinking of us, the sinners He came to redeem. Maybe He was thinking of the horrific pain He was in and the desire for it to be over.

Do you suppose He drifted back to the beginning when He first came as a baby?  Those thoughts would be something He could find comfort in.  GOD the FATHER was Mary’s midwife, “He that took Me out of the womb.” and caused Him to have “hope”!  GOD delivered Him then and He would deliver Him now as He hung on the cross.   

My mind can’t fathom 

What crossed Your mind

The day You gave all for me. 

Thoughts of horror and the pain.

As You hung on Calvary’s tree.

I do know this by what You did,

You have set me completely free.

I have Your Word, I read Your thoughts

You give safety and hope to me!

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12

The Redeemer Divine

“He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.” Psalm 22:8

The sad fact is the same blasphemy continues to this day.  People have never stopped speaking lies about JESUS.  Laughing at Him, mocking the things He taught and using His name in vain!

You see it everywhere.  In conversation between people, in music, radio, television and in print!  You see it in the news, in the books we read and the movies we watch!  

How heartbreaking it must be for JESUS to see His own disciples allowing their flesh to accept such filth instead of refusing to be apart of it!

And the worst of all it is seen is in the church!  Oh I know I’m not going to make many friends by this statement but the truth is the truth and sometimes it can look very ugly.  

There are many false prophets that fill our pulpits!  “Wolves they are in sheep’s clothing” “Clouds that carry no rain” “Whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.”

These agents of the devil tickling the ears of the weak that have not established themselves in the Word of GOD!  They mock the very truth and draw many to their false teachings that mock the Living LORD!  

Such blasphemy was done

On that dreadful day!

They were blinded and cruel 

Harsh words they did say! 

If Jehovah is your Father

Then let Him come now.

Let Him send His angels

Then we will bow!

Where is this power

That you spoke of?

Where is this strength,

You claimed from above?

Has it left you now, 

In your time of need?

Did your Father forget,

You were of His seed?

Then they were bewildered,

By the last words He spoke!

Saying, “Father forgive them”

They thought He misspoke! 

But no He didn’t! 

This Savior of mine!

Always forgiving,

The Redeemer Divine! 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

While He was Mocked, We were Redeemed

“All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,” Psalm 22:7

The cruel mocking didn’t stop the day of the cross but continues to this day.  People laugh and call Him names, they torment those that have become saints in Him!  Fools they are that say, there is no GOD!

What many don’t understand is there is no middle of the road when it comes to CHRIST, there is no almost!  You are either for Him or against Him! When you refuse the SAVIOR you have made your decision to mock what He did for you.  The FATHER will not hold you guiltless and time is running out!

This is the Savior as He went to the cross!

They laughed and jeered their cursing at no lose!

As they mocked, they made faces and remarks so unkind!

How could this happen to the Savior so Divine?

Cruelty unheard of, they pulled out His beard!

They spit upon His body while all of them cheered!

They parted His garments and put on a scarlet robe.

“Come down if your King” The Savior He was told!

Not a chance would He do that, although this power He possessed!

He became sin for all mankind; with this end He was obsessed!

I am never able to leave our wonderful Savior on the tree!

For on the third day He Arose just for you and for me!  

“And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,”  

Matthew 27:39

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Crimson Worm

“But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” Psalm 22:6

I found it very difficult to think of the LORD as a “worm”!  However in this verse we can see the miserable state CHRISTwas in and what He became to satisfy our sin!

I would never consider my LORD as a worm but I am so thankful He expressed His love for us and gave up His glory for such a worm as I!

Who was this worm, the reproach of men?

Despised by all when He came!

Not a Rabbi or a leader.

He held no office of high estate.

He was just a carpenter’s son!

The rebuke of men He came to save.

His Father turned away from His sight!

Undeserving of this dreadful state,

This worm for us did fight!

He was just a carpenter’s son!

For me and all, this worm did crawl 

To the top of Calvary’s Hill!

Lifted high above the others there,

Took our place and did His Father will!

He was just a carpenter’s son!

Like the scarlet worm that clang to the tree,

To bring life to her own!

The stain she left was crimson red,

They lived and she went home!

He was just a carpenter’s son!

Now this Worm of low estate is lifted high above!

With a name above all other names!

King of kings! Lord of lords!

JESUS, is the FATHER's Son!

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”  Colossians 1:15-20 

Have You Been Delivered?

“They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.”  Psalm 22:5

Better it is to cry out to GOD and be delivered then to stubbornly reject His call and and be captive in your sorrow!   It is far better to live by still waters then be encompassed in a raging sea!

There are four words in the above verse that give its meaning, Cried, delivered, trusted and confounded.  Those that cry out to GOD are delivered and through their trust their eyes are opened and given understanding!  I know first hand and testify to its fact!  

God hears our cry from any distance.

He is omnipresent in His existence!

Every thought, every word, mental or spoken. 

He comprehends and His promise is unbroken!

Believe and accept the promise He gives.

Your answer is ready the response is His!

While others may laugh and think you are weak.

God has answered your prayer and now you can sleep!

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.  Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.  For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” Proverbs 3:24-26

GOD’s Instrument

“Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.” Psalm 22:4

There is this unspeakable joy that comes to the one that allows GOD to use them.  There is a feeling of you doing things that you understand was impossible to do on your own and yet they are accomplished through the power of GOD!  You become GOD’s instrument and what could be greater then that?

In all our troubles if we will just trust.

Leaning on GOD is an absolute must!

Never can we waver or cast aside,

In the promises of GOD we must abide!

Just look at the others He used by the way.

GOD’s power and might kept them from going astray!

He used the weak and made them strong.

Not by their power, GOD led them along!

If you think you have power and strength on your own,

You are foolish and misguided, look to GOD’s throne!   

There is no greater joy then to give GOD His free reign.

His power magnificent and release from all shame!

Just walking in JESUS brings such delight!

No wonder or worry as you walk in His light!

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9