As Jesus was dying many people were milling around at the base of His altar (the cross). There were the Jewish leaders, the soldiers of Rome who had carried out the sentence of crucifixion, some women who loved Him and had followed Him in His ministry, and then on-lookers, just to see what was happening.

The soldiers sat at the base of the cross and gambled to see who would get His robe. Their voices were also raised in scorn, contempt and mockery.

(NASB) Luke 23:36-37 “The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine,

37 and saying, “˜If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”™

38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, “˜THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”™”

What these Roman soldiers did not know as they offered Him something to deaden the pain and relieve His thirst:

(NIV) Psalm 69:21 “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”

What these Roman soldiers did not know as they mocked Him:

(NIV) Psalm 69:19-20 “You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.

20 Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.”

The very men whose place He took on the cross ““ mocked Him ““ and His heart was broken.

Jesus was rejected”¦and He understands when you are rejected for being a follower of His. Rejection is cruel, and hate-filled. It is painful and distressful.
And Jesus knows all about it when you are rejected. There are Christians in the world today who have lost their homes, jobs and friends, and even their health and life, because of being followers of Christ. Jesus understands exactly what that is like emotionally, socially, physically, spiritually.

Jesus had no one who could fully understand His suffering on the cross. But you have One who understands your suffering, He has gone through it all.

Psalm 70 may be used as a personal prayer”¦go to the Prayer of the Week tab and you will find it there”¦you are invited to use it with yourself in mind as you pray to the living God.