A Good Description Of Jesus

Psalm 69:8-21

8Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me;

they treat me like a stranger.

9Passion for your house burns within me,

so those who insult you are also insulting me.

10When I weep and fast before the LORD,

they scoff at me.

11When I dress in sackcloth to show sorrow,

they make fun of me.

12I am the favorite topic of town gossip,

and all the drunkards sing about me.

13But I keep right on praying to you, LORD,

hoping this is the time you will show me favor.

In your unfailing love, O God,

answer my prayer with your sure salvation.

14Pull me out of the mud;

don’t let me sink any deeper!

Rescue me from those who hate me,

and pull me from these deep waters.

15Don’t let the floods overwhelm me,

or the deep waters swallow me,

or the pit of death devour me.

16Answer my prayers, O LORD,

for your unfailing love is wonderful.

Turn and take care of me,

for your mercy is so plentiful.

17Don’t hide from your servant;

answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!

18Come and rescue me;

free me from all my enemies.

19You know the insults I endure—

the humiliation and disgrace.

20Their insults have broken my heart,

and I am in despair.

If only one person would show some pity;

if only one would turn and comfort me.

21But instead, they give me poison for food;

they offer me sour wine for my thirst.

Psalm 69 remarkably describes much of what Jesus experienced on earth. One time Jesus was staying at a house in Galilee, and so many people came to see him that he and his disciples didn’t have time to eat. When Jesus’ mother and brothers heard about this, they were concerned and hurried over from Nazareth to take Jesus back home (Mark 3:20-21). There were other occasions, too, when Jesus’ family just didn’t get it. The apostle John tells us, “Even his brothers didn’t believe in him” (John 7:5). David’s comments in verse 8 of this psalm reflect this sad truth.

Jesus’ life further matches this psalm in that he was consumed with a passion for God’s house, he was gossiped about, and he was falsely accused. Jesus was also offered “sour wine” on the cross (verse 21; see Matthew 27:48). God answered his prayers (see verse 16), not by removing the suffering he had to go through, but by carrying him through it and raising him from the dead.

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens: Lord, with me abide!

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O Abide with me.

HENRY F. LYTE

Notable Quotable

“Persecution is never so hard to bear as when it is at the hands of near relatives.”

W. GRAHAM SCROGGIE