“All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head.”— Psalm 22:7
Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm that speaks of the humiliation, sufferings and crucifixion which Christ our Lord would endure on our behalf. He was mocked relentlessly by the Jews and the Romans. The chief priests, the scribes, the Pharisees, Pilate the governor and King Herod all took turns to ridicule, taunt and contemptuously treat our Lord. Their soldiers and servants also jeered at him, and brutally insulted him. They ridiculed His divinity, royalty and dignity.
Who could bear such heartless, cruel savagery? What sorrow must have gripped his soul! Have you wondered what might have been on His lips? The psalmist gives us a peek into Christ’s anguish, as he predictively records His words – “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head”.
The sovereign God was maliciously wronged by His creatures. Though despised and rejected, He neither resented nor retaliated. Surely, it was more than just sheer endurance that made Him accept all that utterly bitter contempt and vicious barbarity. There in His pure heart was Love supreme, Love divine – yea, Love beyond degree! So, he bled and died for our salvation.
How do we now respond to Him? Do we despise Him and dishonour him with our ungrateful / unappreciative attitude and actions? Do we pour contempt on Him? O that we would praise Him who died bearing our sins! May He ever be worshipped in our hearts and in our congregation! No more scorn, no more rejection of Christ. He is all to us. Let us rejoice and sing His praises! Let us adore and worship Him! Let us lift up His name high. May He, who was lifted on the cross, be now lifted up in our hearts!