Scripture Reading : Psalm 22
Theme : Winning the Nations through the Cross
- The Power of Darkness (1–21). It is the Messiah himself, not David, who is speaking in this psalm (cf. Ps. 2:7-9). The NT ascribes various sayings in this psalm directly to Jesus, not David (Matt. 27:46; John 19:24; Heb. 2:12). If you want to know what Jesus was thinking, praying and saying while He was on the cross, you can read this psalm. In suffering, Jesus expresses perplexity and longing for God to answer and deliver Him. This is a natural expression in suffering, not a sinful doubt on Jesus’ part. We too can express such perplexity and longing in suffering. It is not a sign of weakness of faith, but of trust and endurance.
- Victory over Darkness (3–4). Though the devil and his demons thought they were winning by crucifying Jesus, but in reality the cross was their dome (1 Cor. 2:8). Through the cross, God reclaims His direct rule over the nations through Jesus. The nations were ruled directly by the devil and his demons, but now God is reclaiming the nations through the cross, one person at a time. This is why Jesus gave the Great Commission to every Christian.
Praying the Scripture
This is an amazing testimony of God’s way of reclaiming the world: glory through suffering, victory through temporary defeat. Praise God for His amazing plan and providence. Great is the Lord, worthy of our praise. He is a loving king, who is in the process of restoring eden/His kingdom, on earth. The world is moving in one direction in history—being ruled by Jesus. Christians are not called to spread God’s kingdom through politics, but through the gospel. Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth when He returns. We establish God’s kingdom right now on earth by spreading the gospel so that all peoples will be in His kingdom when He returns. God has a big plan for this world and we get to be part of it. This is amazing! Worship the king!
经文：诗篇22
主题：借十架赢得列国
- 黑暗的权势（1-21）。陈述这首诗篇的是弥赛亚本人，不是大卫（参：诗2:7-9）。新约将这诗篇的好些话归于耶稣所说的，不是大卫（太27:46；约19:24；来2:12）。你若想知道耶稣在十字架上所思念、所祷告和所说的话是什么，你可以看这首诗篇。耶稣在受难时表达了自己困惑，渴望神应允并解救祂。这是受苦中一个自然的表现，不代表耶稣质疑神，犯罪了。我们受苦时也能表达这样的困惑和渴望。这不是信心软弱的迹象，而是倚靠和忍耐。
- 胜过黑暗（3-4）。虽然撒旦和牠的魔鬼以为把耶稣钉十字架便是胜利，但事实恰恰相反（林前2:8）。神借着十架上的耶稣取回了祂对列国正面的统治。列国曾受撒旦和牠魔鬼的直接管理，但如今，神借着十字架一次一人地取回列国。这就是耶稣为何将大使命给予每一位基督徒。
用经文祷告
神取回世界的方式是一个奇妙的见证：借着受难得荣耀、借着暂时性的击败得胜。要因着神奇妙的计划和护理赞美祂。耶和华本为大，该受大赞美。祂是慈爱的君王，如今在地上复兴伊甸或祂的国。历来，世界都在朝向一个方向，即耶稣的统治。基督徒被召借着福音扩展神的国度，不是通过政治途径。我们至今借着传福音在地上建立神的国，叫万国能在耶稣归回时都在祂的国里。神对这个世界有很大的计划，而我们有幸能参与。这何等奇妙啊！要敬拜君王！
