Messiah, Jesus

“Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me. My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in! Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey. My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing. O Lord, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid! Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs. Snatch me from the lion’s jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22:11-21‬ ‭NLT

This Psalm is a Messianic one. There are prophetic references to the Messiah in this chapter (verses 1, 16, and 18). Verse 1 was talked about in yesterday's devotional. Verse 16 speaks of hands and feet being pierced. We know this is how they nailed Jesus to the cross (see Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:18) in each of these Scriptures we are told that the Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross. In Luke 24:40 Jesus showed the disciples His hands and feet. In doing this, He was verifying the reality of His wounds from the nails that held Him to the cross. He had risen from the dead. He shows them His hands and feet to authenticate his physical death  and resurrection. In John 20:27, Jesus tells Thomas to put his finger in the wounds of His hands and to place his hand in the spear wound of His side.  Verse 18 is verified in Matthew 27:35, Luke 23:34, Mark 15:24, and John 19:23 and 24.  Although David was the one speaking in Psalm 22, he was uttering prophetic words concerning the Messiah, Jesus! 
Prayer for today: 
Father, in Jesus name, thank You for becoming one of us and for fulfilling every Messianic prophecy. Thank You for taking my place on the cross. Jesus, You are indeed the Christ, the Son of the Living God!!!