THE AWESOME THINGS OF CHRIST

By Wayne Camp

CHRIST’S MOST AWESOME PRAYER

Psalm 69:27-28 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

When we think of Christ praying, we usually think of the great mediatorial prayer of the seventeenth chapter of John. Or, his prayer on the cross comes to mind: "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Most would not think of going to Psalm 69 or 109 to find a prayer of Jesus. These, along with others, are known as Messianic Psalms. Though written by David, they are actually the prayers of Jesus. And awesome prayers they are.

It is evident from another verse in Psalm 69 that these are the words of Jesus written prophetically by David. Psalm 69:21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. That verse should leave no question in anyone’s mind about this being a prayer of Jesus. Then in Psalm 109 there is also a verse that distinctly reveals that this is another prayer of Jesus. Psalm 109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office. This identifies the person concerning whom Jesus prayed in this Psalm to be Judas Iscariot. This verse is referenced in Acts 1 and points to its being prophetic of Judas.

What is so awesome about these prayers? In verse 27 of Psalm 69, Jesus does not pray for the forgiveness of his persecutors; he prays that iniquity be added to their iniquity. He also prays that they not be permitted to come into his righteousness. In the next verse he prays for their death and that they not be written with the righteous. There are other things in this prayer that make it awesome. May I encourage you who read this to read at least verses 21-28. In verse 22 he prays, "Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a snare." This reminds me of what Paul said in another place. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. The gospel of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection did become a snare, a stumblingblock, and foolishness to many of his persecutors and their descendants. It should have been for their welfare but God has blinded them because of their rejection of Christ. John 12:39-40 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. This prayer was prayed by Christ and answered by God’s spiritually blinding many of those involved in the crucifixion.

In Psalm 109 there are some awesome petitions made by Christ. In verse 8 he prays that the days of Judas Iscariot be few and he killed himself before Christ was even crucified. The petition was answered. In verse 10 he prayed that his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. This was answered

with his suicide. In verse 12 Christ prays that no one show Judas any mercy, not even God and Judas went straight to hell without any mercy being extended. He prayed that Judas’s last name be blotted off the face of the earth. Have you ever met a Jew whose surname was Iscariot?

Awesome! Awesome and answered prayers of Jesus. Everything he prayed for was granted. If one compares the prayers with events recorded in the New Testament there is no doubt these are prayers prayed by Christ and answered by the Father.

CHRIST’S MOST AWESOME DECLARATION

Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The declaration found in the verse above is truly an awesome one. It sends chills down my spine sometimes when I read it with its context in mind.

It is awesome when you consider to whom the statement is made. This statement is not made to a bunch of atheists and infidels. It is made to religious people. Religious people who have apparently been very zealous in their religion. Moreover, these are not folks who have denied the claims of Christianity. They have done their work in the name of Jesus Christ. Consider their plea. Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Notice that all they did was done in the name of Jesus Christ. When they issued their prophecies they did so in the name of Christ. When they cast out devils that was done in the name of Christ. When they did their many wonderful works they did them in the name of Jesus Christ.

It is awesome when you consider who is making the statement. This is not some preacher, priest or pope. It is the Lord Jesus Christ himself. The same one who shall judge all unbelievers at the Great White Throne Judgment. He is the one who came to seek and to save his people from their sins. He is the one who died on the cross and arose from the dead. It is he who shall make this most awesome of declarations.

It is awesome when you consider what he says. "I never knew you." He did not claim to have known them at one time but does not know them any more. He never knew them. There are at least two kinds of knowledge which Christ has of persons. There is a sense in which Christ knows all men. John 2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men. There is a special sense in which he knows some men. John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. This is a special intimate knowledge which Christ has of some men. In this sense he knows only his elect, his people given to him by the Father and whom he shall save from their sins (Jn. 17:2; 6:37; Mat. 1:21). There are those whom he has never known in this latter sense. He never knew them as his own. They were never given to him by the Father as those whom he has known as his in a special sense. Let those words occupy your thoughts for a moment. "I never knew you." How sad it is to be not known by Jesus Christ. It means that those who are not known in this special, elective sense will hear those awesome words, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Eternal separation from God and Christ in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone is a terrible place and way to spend eternity. And, many there will be who will hear this awesome declaration. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord . . . ." I thank God for his grace which has called me into his salvation. That means I will never have to hear those awesome words. "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

It is not enough that you go to church, or preach, or do many wonderful works in the name of Christ. Do you know him? Does he know you? John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Return to Index Page for Past Issues of The Grace Proclamator and Promulgator

Return TO  CENTRAL BAPTIST HOME PAGE

Send mail to rwcamp@gpp-5grace.com

Last updated on Friday, March 04, 2011

free hit counters