He Shall Be Called - Day 20

Life and Death Prophecy: The Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced through

Scripture: Read the prophecy – Psalm 22:16; Isaiah 53:5
Read the fulfillment – Luke 23:33; John 19:34 – 37;
John 20:25 - 27

At the time the prophecy was given (centuries before the birth of the Messiah) it was very odd and very specific to predict that the hands and feet of the Messiah would be pierced. At the time the prophet recorded the prophecy, he must surely have wondered “what would be the reason to do that?” Roman crucifixion wasn’t known or practiced at that time. The Jews were confident that the Messiah was coming to lead a revolt against the occupying Romans and drive them out of the land that rightfully belonged to the Jews.

The Jews likely didn’t believe that this prophecy of pierced hands and feet was referring to their Messiah. It didn’t fit their paradigm. Why get excited about a Messiah who would offer Himself up as a sacrifice and be tortured and killed? Who would want to follow that kind of a God? Even today, the world respects power, not sacrifice. People want to follow a winner, not a loser. Praise God, Jesus came as a meek and lowly servant who loved us enough to lay His hands and feet on a cross and allow soldiers to drive spikes into His body. The soldiers foolishly thought they were securing Him to the cross. They never realized He willingly gave himself up. He never called for backup even though one word would have brought untold angels to the scene.

Q1. Most persons sentenced to death by crucifixion were tied to their cross with leather straps or rope. Why do you think God would allow His son to be nailed to a cross?

Q2. What does it tell you about the love that Jesus has for you when you hear that He was nailed to a cross for those He loves?

Q3. The apostle Thomas refused to believe that Jesus had really been raised from the dead? What did He say it would take for Him to actually believe the Lord had been resurrected? Hint: See John 20:24 – 25

Once I was straying in sin’s dark valley, No hope within could I see they searched through Heaven, and they found a Savior,
to save a poor lost soul like me.
Oh, what a Savior, oh hallelujah, His heart was broken on Calvary His hands were nail scarred, His feet was pierced,
He gave His life-blood for even me.

PRAYER FOCUS: Thank You Lord for loving me and being faithful to Your Father’s will. I pray that I never take You for granted. The marks in Your hands and feet remind me of Your intense love for me. Help me to love You more and serve You more in response to all the sacrifices You have made for me.