The Meditation, Study, and Suffering of Christ, Psalm 119

By, Apostle John Eckhardt, www.impactnetwork.net

A comprehensive study, the Eschatology of the Apostles. To order visit: www.johneckhardtministries.com

How much did Christ STUDY and SEARCH the scriptures before entering public ministry? Did he have any teachers? Did he excel beyond his teachers? I believe Psalm 119 gives us some insight. I have never heard anyone teach this aspect of Christ in my 30 years of ministry. I believe this will bless you and give you a fresh perspective of Christ and his ministry.

Dake's list of Messianic Psalms includes: Psalms 1, 8, 16, 21, 22, 23, 40, 41, 45, 46, 47 , 48, 68, 69, 72, 89, 102, 110, 118. Another list is 2, 8, 16, 22, 24, 30, 31, 35, 38, 40, 41, 45, 69, 72, 89, 96, 102, 109, 110, 118, and 132. Most do not list PSALM 119 as MESSIANIC, but I have come to the conclusion that it is. It is a Psalm about the Meditation, Study, and Suffering of Messiah, his complete dependence and devotion to the LAW (The WORD). A Messianic psalm is a psalm that makes predictions about the Messiah. Jesus love and commitment to the LAW of GOD is unprecedented. Psalm 119 is a Psalm that HIGHLIGHTS the WORD as a LAMP and a LIGHT.

The birth of Christ is mentioned in the Bible, and after that he is mentioned in the temple at the age of 12, but there is no other record given until he is thirty and baptized by John. I know there are books written that attempt to describe the life of Christ before his baptism, but I am

referring to the Scriptures. Jesus undoubtedly knew the word of God and quoted extensively from Moses and the Prophets. Jesus is the Word made flesh. I want to examine what I believe is the study life of Christ before he began his ministry after being anointed by the Holy Ghost. I have never heard this taught before, but I believe it will show us the importance of studying the Word to show ourselves APPROVED unto God. When The Father said, This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, did this include Christs study of the Word in preparation for his ministry? I believe it does.

Jesus was already aware of HIS FATHERS BUSINESS WHEN HE WAS TWELVE.

Matt.2:46-50 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his UNDERSTANDING and ANSWERS. And when they saw him, they were AMAZED: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my FATHERS BUSINESS? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

Jesus was already engaging in scriptural discussion on the temple with the DOCTORS of the LAW when he was twelve years of age. They were AMAZED at his understanding and answers. This gives us some idea of what Christ was doing in PREPARATION for his MINISTRY (Fathers Business). He was well aware of his mission at an early age, and no doubt PREPARED by STUDYING and UNDERSTANDING the SCRIPTURES. It is possible that Christ went to the temple often with his parents during his younger years and probably discussed the SCRIPTURES with the LEARNED men of the LAW. TO BE CHRIST LIKE IS TO STUDY AND SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.

PSALM 119 is the longest PSALM and one of the greatest Messianic Psalms. It is usually not mentioned as a MESSIANIC PSALM, but I am convinced after studying that it is. There are similarities in this Psalm with other MESSIANIC PSALMS that describe the life and suffering of CHRIST. Christ spoke through the PSALMISTS prophetically and identified the PSALMS as a major part of describing his life and work of redemption.

Luke 24:44,And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the PSALMS, concerning me.

Jesus not only studied and knew the scriptures but UNDERSTOOD the scriptures and identified himself in them. This was the difference, many searched and studied the scriptures, but JESUS searched, studied and UNDERSTOOD THEM.

John 5:39 SEARCH the SCRIPTURES; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which TESTIFY of ME.

Jesus evidently SEARCHED the SCRIPTURES and encourage the Jews to do so knowing that they were speaking of him. He knew that his life was written in the VOLUME OF THE BOOK.

Psalm 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Jesus knew he was here to do the will of God, and that Gods will was written in the VOLUME OF THE BOOK.

Psalm 119, I believe is a PSALM about the STUDY and MEDITATION of CHRIST. It also describes his enemies and his delight and love for the LAW (The WORD of GOD). Notice how the Psalm opens:

Psalm 119:1-2 Blessed are the UNDEFILED in the way, who walk in the LAW of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart.

Jesus is the BLESSED and he is the UNDEFILED:

Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, UNDEFILED, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Jesus was undefiled and kept the LAW of GOD PERFECTLY. This PSALM is prophetic of HIM, it is MESSIANIC.

I will look at this Psalm under different headings:

The MEDITATION of MESSIAH

Psa.119:15 I will MEDITATE in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

Psa.119:48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will MEDITATE in thy statutes.

Psa.119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my MEDITATION all the day.

THE UNDERSTANDING OF MESSIAH

Psa.119:27 Make me to UNDERSTAND the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

Psa.119:34 Give me UNDERSTANDING, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Psa.119:99-100 I have more UNDERSTANDING than all my TEACHERS: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

I UNDERSTAND more than the ANCIENTS, because I keep thy precepts

Psa.119:169 Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me UNDERSTANDING according to thy word.

THE DELIGHT OF THE MESSIAH

Psa.119:16 I will DELIGHT myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Psa.119:24 Thy testimonies also are my DELIGHT and my counselors.

THE ZEAL OF MESSIAH

Psa.119:139 My ZEAL hath CONSUMED me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

This is comparable to Psalm 69:9 For the ZEAL of thine house hath EATEN ME UP; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

And is fulfilled in John 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The ZEAL of thine house hath EATEN ME UP.

ENEMIES AND PERSECUTION OF THE MESSIAH

Psa.119:84-86 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that me? The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

Psa.119:95 The WICKED have waited for me to DESTROY me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

Psa.119:98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me WISER than mine ENEMIES: for they are ever with me.

Psa.119:110 The WICKED have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

Psa.119:157 Many are my PERSECUTORS and mine ENEMIES; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

Psa.119:161 Princes have PERSECUTED me WITHOUT A CAUSE: but my heart standeth in awe of THY WORD.

Psa.119:8 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto THY WORD.

This is similar to these verses:

Psalm 35:7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which WITHOUT CAUSE they have digged for my soul. Psalm 35:19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me WITHOUT A CAUSE.

Psalm 69:4 They that hate me WITHOUT A CAUSE are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

This is fulfilled in: John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, they hated me WITHOUT A CAUSE.

MESSIAH DESPISED

Psa.119:141 I am small and DESPISED: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

Compare to Isaiah 53:3 He is DESPISED and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

SUPPLICATION OF MESSIAH

Psa.119:170 Let my SUPPLICATION come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

Compare to Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and SUPPLICATIONS with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Jesus quoted the WORD throughout his ministry.

Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Matthew 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

Matthew 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

Mark 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Mark 9:12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. Mark 9:13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Luke 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Luke 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: John 6:31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

John 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

Jesus is the WORD, meditated, studied, and searched the WORD, and UNDERSTOOD the WORD. He confounded his adversaries because of his understanding. Here is an example of Christ confounding his adversaries with his understanding of scripture:

Matthew 22:42-48 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then called him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

Christ had to have searched the scripture before entering into public ministry. This is the example for every minister:

2 Timothy 2:15 STUDY to shew thyself APPROVED unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Jesus had his Fathers APPROVAL and we must have Gods APPROVAL through STUDY.

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