“For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet…” – Psalm 22:16 

Scripture reading: John 20:24-29

And still there is more, for if we thought that the description so far was quite graphic it becomes even more detailed now. In fact, the next three verses – the verses 16 to 18 – put the case beyond doubt altogether!

Verse 16 draws again the imagery of the prey being trapped. This time it’s dogs surrounding Him. And there is no worse animal for this scene. When they are in a pack, they are evil. Any sheep in their way is a dead sheep. And that death will be the most torturous and protracted death.

The words picturing hands and feet are vivid about this, because it’s the hands and the feet which are possible defences to ward off attack and to run away from attack. But here they are being pinned back

Yet how prophetic isn’t this description when we know it is about Christ? Execution such as this was unknown in David’s time, and still it is clear what kind of death this will be. The gospels confirm this. Jesus inviting Thomas to put his finger in the nail hole is but one example.

While we will not see the Lord’s pierced hands and feet this side of glory, may we yet be those blessed to have believed. Good Friday will become good for us because the only man truly good was God’s Son who sacrificed Himself for us.

Suggestions for prayer

Pray that the awe of the Roman Centurion viewing Christ’s death will be ours today. Plead that His death continues to make many more spiritually alive.

Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.