The Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus

“Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.” [1] What? The Jewish leaders had previously incited people to crucify Messiah. Now they are concerned about breaking the Sabbath? [2] Their theology was insane.

Psalm 22 was likely written by King David around 1044 BC. The Psalm is a Messianic prophesy. In Psalm 22 the Lord describes what He was going through on that crucifixion day.

“Be not far from Me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have surrounded Me; strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. They gape at Me with their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me; O, My Strength, hasten to help Me! Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion’s mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. I will declare Your Name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly, I will praise You.” [3]

Bulls stab their prey with horns. Lions shred their prey with teeth. Dogs consume what bulls and lions leave behind. Jesus describes the pain in His joints. He is weak. He has been poured out like water, namely His blood is everywhere. His hands and feet are pierced. His heart is melted. During His hour of death, people are mocking Him. His torturers are playing a game with His clothes. Yet, He ends His prayers on a high note. “I will declare Your Name to My brothers; in the midst of the assembly, I will praise You.” The third day is coming! He knows He will resurrect from the dead.

“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord. All the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations.” “Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah” [4]

Now, people from every nation have turned to Him. And the day is fast approaching when Jesus will return. All who have loved His appearing will rejoice with exceedingly great joy!

However, until Jesus returns, we have governments run by lions and bears. “Like a roaring lion and a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.” [5]

Until Jesus returns, the war between human-pride and trust-in-the-Lord continues. “He, who is of a proud heart, stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.” [6]



Until Jesus returns, we need to remain humble. Admitting that we are sinners in need of the grace of God! “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” [7]

Until Jesus returns, we need to beware of making excuses. “They all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’” [8]

Jesus paid a great price to redeem us from sin. He does expect us to live circumspectly of it.

Jesus said, “Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish?’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with 10,000 to meet him who comes against him with 20,000? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” [9]

The Lord is concerned about mindsets on miniscule matters that really don’t matter. Diligent to keep the Sabbath but discarding God’s Messiah. Is Jesus Messiah the focus of the worship service that you attend? His atoning sacrifice for our sins the main point? I pray so.

I am working on a project to illustrate with pictures and words the ministry of Jeremiah the prophet as an example for us who speak for God today. Jeremiah’s Jerusalem was coming to an end. There was going to be a time of great tribulation, but afterwards a season of victory and restoration. For listeners today, there is coming a time of great tribulation, but afterwards, the Lord Jesus will return and bring all who follow Him into the New Jerusalem. May God our Father help us all to bear witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus. [10]

[1] John 19:31
[2] Luke 23:2, 5, 10, 18, 21, 23-25
[3] Psalm 22:11-22
[4] Psalm 22:27-28; Psalm 24:10
[5] Proverbs 28:15
[6] Proverbs 28:25
[7] Romans 3:22-23; Proverbs 28:13
[8] Luke 14:18-21
[9] Luke 14:27-33
[10] Revelation 1:2; 12:17; 14:12