Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 22:12-18
Ps 22:12-18
12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
John 19:23-24
23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.
To these Roman soldiers this was just another day, another crucifixion of some worthless rabble so they gambled over his clothing with no thought of what they had actually done. They had probably never even read the scripture that they were fulfilling and had no idea they were part of the eternal plan of God. They read the sign they nailed over his head and thought this was just another deranged Jew who thought he was some kind of a king.
How many today give that much consideration to the death of Jesus. He died on that cross for these soldiers and their boss, the centurion. He was offering them life and they gave him death. He offers life today to all who will come to him and yet the masses go in thoughtless blunder, oblivious to why he died. Even worse, many today still mock him and laugh at the very idea that he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So we must be busy trying to explain it to them and sharing the good news of his salvation.
Heavenly Father, give me greater determination to share your gospel and open my eyes to the opportunities you give me. Give me wisdom to know what to say and how to say it to reach those who are lost. I know that what this country needs more than anything else is a love and commitment to Jesus as Savior. Help me make a difference by showing others the joy of being a Christian and by teaching them your word. I thank you for the freedoms I enjoy to be able to serve you and share your word without reprisal. I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
Robert
