#DailyDevotion Jesus Fulfills Scripture & Saves Us
Psalm 55 9Destroy them, O Lord! Confound their tongues, because I see violence and conflict in the city. 10Day and night they go around on its walls; trouble and misery are in the city, and destruction is also there; oppression and cheating remain in its streets.
Imagine if this is how it was in David’s day, with the LORD so present with His people, how much so was it in the days of Jesus. It is the LORD’s holy ones whom David is talking about here. Jesus then is the fulfillment of David’s word. The violence and conflict in the city is from those who oppose Him, namely the Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees. In the Garden, Jesus is praying this against those who seek His like because of their jealousy of Him. Instead of joining Jesus and being shepherds to His sheep, they oppose Him and seek the destruction of His disciples. Certainly we pray this prayer in our day as well. We would prefer the LORD bring such people to repentance. When we pray this, we are praying God’s will, their ultimate demise if they continue in impenitence. We see the destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple and the fate of those who did not listen to Jesus and who remained in Jerusalem. Such is an image of the return of Jesus and the destruction of all who opposed Him in this life.
12If it were the enemy who insulted me —that I could bear; if it were one that hated me who attacked me —I could hide from him. 13But it’s you, a man who is my equal; my friend and one I knew so well! 14We talked in sweet fellowship and walked with a crowd into God’s house. 15May death take them suddenly;may they go down alive to the grave because wickedness is in their hearts. 16I will call on God, and the LORD will save me.
David had so many trials and tribulations, it is hard to know who he was talking about in particular. But perhaps this is pure prophecy. It is most fully fulfilled by Jesus in the last days of His passion. Who else is being talked about but Judas Iscariot? He was a friend to Jesus. Jesus calls him as much as he betrays Jesus with a kiss. Judas walked with Jesus for three years. He had table fellowship with Jesus. He worked miracles in Jesus’ name and preached the good news of the kingdom of God. He worshiped with Jesus in the Temple and sat at Jesus’ feet. Yet, he betrayed Jesus into the hands of those who wanted to kill Him. Death indeed suddenly overcame Judas who took his own life out his own guilt. Death also came suddenly upon the rebellious Jews who refused Jesus love, mercy, kindness, grace and forgiveness won for them on the cross. Of course, there thousands, hundred of thousands, maybe even millions of them did turn to Jesus through the apostles’ proclamation who avoided the wrath of the Romans during the Jews rebellion against Rome.
Jesus did call upon God the Father, the LORD, and the LORD did save Him. He raised Jesus from the dead on the third day and sat Him down at His right hand in heaven, until all His enemies are made His footstool. The Father made Jesus both Lord and Christ. The nations shall bow and worship Him as He rules over them with an iron rod. The good news is now you have the time to put your faith in Jesus, to become His disciple, His friend. In baptism, He joins you to His suffering, death and resurrection. He draws all who trust in Him to be with Him, to rule with Him in the heavenly places. Mercy, kindness, grace and forgiveness is to be had and received through Jesus today.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the suffering of Your Son Jesus Christ, whose passion saves us from our sins, from death and from the power of the devil. Continually give us faith in Him so we may reign with Him now in our prayers at Your right hand and forevermore when Jesus reveals Himself to the nations. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.