Greeting to you, friend. Welcome back. I am so glad that you are here. Could you please pray for the Holy Spirit to apply the Word of God to your heart as you start this lesson?
We have been studying previously how essential it is to be immersed in the Word of God. As we approach scripture with a humble heart and look for the gospel in what we are reading, we are “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, ESV), and allowing God’s word to wash away downcast thoughts and sins, and filling us with love for the author of the Bible, Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit’s work in our Bible study, and in our lives is defined by and limited to the finished work of Jesus at Calvary (John 14-16). If our study is focused on something else other than the cross then we should not expect the Holy Spirit’s fiery influence nor the transformation that He brings.
Question 1. In the last lesson, I encouraged you to read through Psalm 22. It would be wonderful to hear about your discoveries of looking for the gospel in Psalm 22.
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Carnell writes, "It reminds me of all the agony and suffering Jesus bore for me on the cross and the Father turned his face from Him. I know their isn't a more hurting experience for your father to forsake you. But Jesus endured all of it for my sake and my redemption. Thank you Lord!!!"
Tori writes, "Wow! If that verse did not come alive to me. God’s word is magic. The Old Testament is the revealed story of the Gospel. It’s almost as if I am not only reading about Jesus’s sacrifice but also what has happened up till now, with the starting and growing of Christianity. Amazing! Also, as I read him describing Jesus it makes me seem like it was much worse the crucifixion that I can even imagine. Thank you Jesus! I praise you our Holy God! I thank you!"
Harris writes, "It is a picture of Christ's sufferings. He was forsaken for my sake. How he suffered for my sins and rejection. How he tolerated my attitude in order to give me full acceptance. I can not imagine how it is to be lifted as a criminal publicly in shame and rejection watching the hatred and nobody is coming to help. And in all these things the father is turning away His face from His Son. There is no greater rejection than the rejection of a father. All these for my sake. He deserves my heart and my all. Thank you Lord Jesus, my King."
Wendy writes, "So many of these verses depict the image of one who is suffering from depression. Feeling alone, helpless, defenseless. And then do many verses also speak directly of Christ's suffering on the Cross! All that darkness and feelings of despair, He felt as well! Yet near the end of this Psalm we see Christ glorified and honored. Personally, I saw that Jesus endured those depressing thoughts of agony, too then on Himself, but is now victoriously sitting at the right Hand of His Father. He alone is my victory over depression, because of the Cross!"
We come to the sacred ground at the foot of the cross here in Psalm 22, and we see the precious Lamb of God offered as a blood sacrifice for our sins and hear Christ’s orphaned cry to God, “my God, my God why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34 ESV). We hear the spitting disdain and mockery in onlookers voices as “they wag their heads” (Psalm 22:7; Matthew 27:39; Mark 15:29 ESV), and discredit Jesus’ mission of substituting, redeeming love “He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.” (Psalm 22:8; Matthew 27:43 ESV). We see grabbing hands dividing His clothes “they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing, they cast lots” (Psalm 22:18; Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23-24 ESV). Finally, we read in this psalm the four words which draw a victory ‘line in the sand’ for us as believers proclaiming that Christ’s sacrifice for us has been completely finished and accepted by the Father “he has done it” (Psalm 22:31; John 19:30 ESV). Do you sense your heart-stirring with love for Jesus as you consider everything He has done for you at Calvary, His life “poured out like water” (Psalm 22:14)?
Now let’s look further at two effects of immersing ourselves in the Word.
Spiritual Maturity
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. (13) I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. (14) I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:12-14 ESV
Question 2. In this passage, John talks about three maturity levels of Christians. What does he say about “little children”, and what does he say about “young men”?
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Tori writes, "Little children’s sins are forgiven and they know the Father. Young men have overcome the evil one and the word of God now abides in them."