Matthew 27:27-30; Psalm 139:19-24

Matthew 27:27-30
Nearly everyone in the Western world knows the historical fact that Jesus died on the cross. But the New Testament writers tell us what this means to us. Christ died for our sins--He was our substitute, punished in our place.

The remainder of this chapter details the various sufferings that Jesus suffered that day. I will deal with the first one today.

1)  The soldiers mocked Him. The "crime" for which Jesus was being put to death was that He claimed to be the King of the Jews. Indeed He was and is the King of the Jews and of the whole world--the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! But the soldiers ridiculed Him by placing on Him a scarlet robe (remember He had already been flogged with a lead-tipped whip and so He would be lacerated and bleeding) and a crown of thorns. They also put a stick in His hand for a scepter.

This did not satisfy them and so they spit on Him and hit Him on the head with the stick before leading Him away to be crucified.

Psalm 139:19-24

David, the psalmist, declares that he hates those who hate God. He claims the enemies of God are his enemies as well. He even calls on God to destroy the wicked. These words seems harsh to us who have been taught to "love the sinner and hate the sin." I can't really explain these words except to say that we shouldn't defend God's enemies. Rather, we should always "defend" God and His people. Of course, He needs no defending, but we are to praise and testify of Him.

As far as God's judgment on the wicked, we can sure that He will judge them. Imagine a criminal committing a crime in the presence of the judge. Surely the judge will show no mercy since he himself was a witness to the crime. This is exactly what is happening! God, the Judge, sees everything perfectly. "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." Proverbs 15:3.  He even knows our motives. And so the wicked and unrepentant will not escape His judgment.

Notice vv. 23, 24. David asks God to search his heart and know his thoughts. He asks God to point out anything that offends Him. We can easily deceive ourselves, believing that our sin is not so bad. We may compare ourselves to others when we should be comparing ourselves to God's standards. David's words here are good advice for all of us.

Psalm 139:19-24

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.