Despising the Afflicted Jesus

The Psalmist David's prophecy of the sufferings of Jesus on the cross were all fulfilled at Calvary. The wicked rulers and people mocked Jesus and reviled Him as He hung there. They despised Him for the suffering that He bore to save lost sinners.

In their despising of Jesus, there was a streak of hatred and revenge.

Sadly, the term "despise" has another meaning as well - to count as nothing, to disregard, to treat as having no lasting significance.

This is the manner in which the whole lost world despises the travails of Christ. Isaiah foretold that Jesus would be "despised and rejected of men ... He is despised, and we esteemed Him not."

The world's attitude is mostly, "what a shame that they did that to such a good and harmless man." But the suffering of Jesus means nothing more to them. It has no lasting purpose, and they quickly move along to other matters.

If that's all you can say about the affliction of Jesus at Calvary, then you don't understand the true significance of the crucifixion.

Many may even weep when they see Christ's passion portrayed on the big screen, and still not trust in Him for salvation.

If we never grasp its significance and purpose - to pay the awful price for our redemption - then we too are despising the affliction of Jesus.

But God never despised the afflictions of Jesus! In fact, the Psalmist recorded that promise: that God would not despise or abhor the affliction of His afflicted Son, the Lord Jesus!

God did not hate Christ's suffering. He did not ignore it. He did not disregard it.

No, God heard Jesus when He cried out. God knew all about the awful price Jesus was paying to save us, and God accepted it.