Thursday, April 2, 2009

He is Pierced through Hands and Feet (Ps. 22:16; ref. John 20:27)

The hatred of the enemies of Christ was so terrible and cruel. Their own Messiah sent by God to bring victory of salvation in their midst and they put him to death on the cross. They reckoned Him as one of the malefactors who deserve to be crucified. Nonetheless, the love of God toward His chosen people did not diminish. Despite their wickedness and rejection of their Master and King, God still has a special plan for the nation of Israel. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in His last words, asked His Father to forgive them for their wrong doings toward Him (Luke 34:34). His love never changed. He knew His mission was to fulfill what was written in the scriptures.
The prophecy given by God to the Psalmist must be fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. His hands and feet must be pierced as the Psalmist had said, “For dogs have compassed me; the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet” (Ps. 22:16). All these were done when the unbelieving Jews crucified Jesus Christ. They nailed His hands and feet to the cross and He died there with all the wounds, pain and suffering. Jesus endured all these things because of the love he had for sinners.
However it is important to take note that the death of Jesus is not an eternal death. Three days after His death, He was resurrected as often taught to His disciples concerning His resurrection. The power of death could not overcome Him. He defeated death with victory. He resurrected and revealed Himself to the people and His disciples.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is real and not fictitious. Thomas, who did not believe in His resurrection, was convinced after the Lord Jesus Christ showed Himself to him. Jesus said, “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27). The scars on His hands and feet were proof of His suffering and death but He had resurrected from the dead.

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