0634. Christ in the Midst Suffering
Christ in the Midst Suffering
"Where they crucified Him, and two others with Hint, * * and Jesus in the midst" (Joh_19:18).
This is a striking picture. "He was numbered with the transgressors." He Who knew no sin, was crucified with sinners; He Who had no sin, was made sin for us.
Turn to Psalms 22, and note the various groups of sinners who surrounded the Cross, and how the Holy Spirit describes them.
In Psa_22:16 we read: "For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet." In Psa_22:12 we read: "Many bulls have compassed Me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset Me round." Thus was Christ enclosed by the enemy. Describe their acts: They "laugh Me to scorn" (Psa_22:7), "they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying, He trusted on the Lord that He would deliver Him, let Him deliver Him, seeing He delighted in Him."
In Psa_22:13 : "They gape upon Me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion."
Thus we read of those who gathered round the Cross. Mat_27:39-44 and Luk_23:34-45 tell the fulfillment of Psalms 22. Ask God to make your heart tender to describe some of these things. Tell of "Jesus in the midst"–all because He loved us so, dying for His enemies and praying for them as He died. Say a word of the substitutionary work of Christ–how He died for us, took our place, bearing our sins.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR