Think about this scene. Three men were hanging on three crosses. Jesus, the one in the middle had been flogged, scourged and perhaps now the flies were tormenting that lacerated body. Jesus would have had to endure His pain with the mocking of the onlookers”¦scorning Him as He hung on that cross, naked.

What incredible prophecy was being fulfilled by the onlookers?

This prophecy is found in Psalm 22:6-8

(NIV) Psalm 22: 6-8 “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads;

8 “˜He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him.

Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”™”

The fulfillment is found in Matthew 27:38-44; Mark 15:29-32; Luke 24:35-36

(NIV) Matthew 27:38-44 “Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads, 40and saying, “˜You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”™

41In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42“˜He saved others,”™ they said, “˜but he can”™t save himself! He”™s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, “˜I am the Son of God.”™ 44In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

(NIV) Luke 23:36 “The soldiers also came up and mocked him.”

People are no different in their attitudes today as they were during the time of Jesus and His crucifixion.

Amazing prophecy and its fulfillment”¦by Roman soldiers (who would not have known of the prophecy), Jewish religious leaders (I don”™t believe they even thought about this prophecy) and the criminals executed alongside Jesus. Their very words recorded hundreds of years earlier by David who had never heard of crucifixion.

The God of the Bible is an amazing God Who has thought of everything that you and I need for forgiveness of our sins. And He has proven this through these fulfilled prophecies.

Tomorrow”™s devotional will continue with these thoughts.