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It is Good Friday, and as we prepare to celebrate the greatest, most selfless event in history, let’s take a closer look at Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice for mankind by delving in to yet another messianic Psalm: Psalm 69…
“Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes.You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” (Psalms 67:16-21 NIV)
The description is poignant. This person is abandoned. No friends anywhere. No one who cares. I invite each of you to reread this passage, and as you do, ask yourself this question: “What if this were me?” Ask yourself how you would feel. I can guarantee that there’s no way you would be answering with an enthusiastic, “I would be very, very happy to be there!”
As you read this passage, you get the distinct sense that this man is very, very sad: “For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt.” (Ps. 69:26 NIV)
A minute ago I invited you to try and put yourself in the place of this suffering person, but now I invite you to take a moment and contemplate the One who is being described here, the One who is being persecuted, the One that everyone wanted to kill…It is none other than Jesus Christ, the King of the universe, God’s only Son, God incarnate.
The Bible tells us that He knew what would happen to Him before He came: "He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake." (1 Peter 1:20 NIV). Why would a King leave His Palace to come to such a place as this? Why would He choose the cross, when a simple word would have rescued Him for good?
The answer lies in one simple word: Love! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)
Can you even imagine this kind of love? The kind that will submit to persecution, humiliation, torture, agony?
Jesus not only imagined it, He embodied it. He did this to save us all. There is no one better than Jesus! He cares, He loves you, He desires that everyone be saved: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:3-4 NIV). When someone comes to Jesus, it makes Him very, very happy. He smiles, He accepts our repentance, and He saves us.
And even more than this, Jesus is the ONLY One who can save! Jesus took our cross, He bore our sin, He cleansed our record. There is non better than Jesus! We do have one responsibility, however. We must accept Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. When we do, we are saved: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NIV). Conversely, when we don’t, we miss out on Heaven forever.
It isn’t just about Heaven, however. Those who accept Jesus’ ultimate gift will have the privilege of getting to know God personally, of having Jesus as our best friend (See John 15:15). We will have Heaven’s power for deliverance, healing, wisdom and power. What an amazing gift!
Accept Jesus’ gift today! If you need help, we are here to assist you in one of three ways:
1. You can view our Salvation video;
2. You can visit our Savior's Call webpage, available in 10 different languages;
3. Or you can email us, and we'll be happy to help you accept Jesus into your heart!
Don’t wait! Don’t let Jesus’ gift to you go to waste! As we celebrate this unprecedented gift, let’s make Jesus smile by accepting it as our own!
In His love,
Rob Chaffart
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