Scripture

Psalm 22:16 (NIV)

Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.

Consider

This psalm of David is one of the Messianic psalms that foretell of Christ. Psalm 22 in particular alludes to Jesus’ crucifixion, with verse 16 describing his hands and feet nailed to the cross.

Today the cross is a beautiful sign of our faith, but in Jesus’ day it was a gruesome symbol of public humiliation and torture. Prisoners were made to carry their own crosses to the execution site amid the jeers and taunts of a hostile crowd.

The Gospel of Luke records Jesus as saying, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (9:23). Jesus was warning his disciples of the real possibility that they would face persecution, social rejection, and even death by publicly committing their lives to him.

When we suffer for our faith with grace and integrity, we bring honor to Jesus’ name. Our suffering may strengthen our witness and grow our faith. Sometimes, however, we suffer on a cross that brings no benefit to God’s kingdom or our walk with Christ. We may find ourselves “nailed” to a life that makes us suffer for no good reason and yet will not let us go free.

If you find yourself trapped on such a cross, ask yourself these questions:

• Who or what drove in the nails that keep me pinned and living a life I do not want?
• What was done to me that I cannot forgive?
• How long have I lived with this anger and pain?
• What label would I give myself and post on a sign above my head?
• Who are the “dogs” that surround my cross?
• What would it take to come down from my cross and walk away?
• What is the life that God would have me live instead?
  Bitterness can nail us to a cross of needless suffering.

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Pray

FATHER, I feel trapped on a cross that makes me suffer needlessly. Remove my nails and help me down from this cross because I am helpless to escape on my own. Show me how to live a better life that honors you and brings me the joy and peace that now elude me.

Reflect

Matthew 10:38; Galatians 6:14

Ponder

How might suffering on this cross be attractive to you?