The term “reproach of men” appears only twice in the Scripture. The above verse from Psalm 22 speaks of the fact that from the time the Lord Jesus Christ was arrested until His death on the cross, virtually every one in Jerusalem turned against Him. Those who were not against Him, were apathetic to His suffering, not caring that an innocent man would die. Moreover, the Lord Jesus Christ was abandoned by His disciples. They had no understanding of what was happening and thought it was all over, even though He had plainly foretold them of the events to come at Jerusalem.
The whole of Psalm 22, without doubt, is the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. Yet it was penned by King David centuries earlier by inspiration of the Holy Ghost. It is accurate in every detail it addresses concerning His crucifixion.
Indeed, even today, the Lord Jesus Christ is a reproach of men. The vast majority of people reproach Him daily by their failure to repent and obey the Gospel. Even those who name the name of Christ reproach Him by their conduct and failure to hold to His word. Nevertheless, His hand is stretched out still to them, for He bore their reproach on the cross, as it is written: For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. (Psalm 69:9) And again: For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. (Romans 15:3)
There is a second time this phrase appears, it is used by the LORD God with reference to His people — that they should not fear man: Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. (Isaiah 51:7) Indeed, this verse is plain in stating that all those who know the Lord will suffer the reproach of men. Moreover, the Lord confirmed it again while on this earth: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12) Thus, those who are born-again in Christ share in the reproach that men bring to bear against the LORD.
And why would men do such a thing?
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:19-20)
It is my hope and prayer that what is contained in this website grants you a better understanding of the LORD God and His word. If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and King – it is essential that you do. However, you cannot unless you are willing to hear and consider what the Lord has to say in His word. Seriously consider the Scripture, after all, every one of us, you included, will one day be judged by it, as the Lord Jesus Christ plainly stated: He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)
If you are here, and you do know the LORD, I pray that the things contained therein are a blessing and an encouragement. If so be that you are rebuked by the things written, consider the following admonitions from Proverbs and Psalms, and understand that the LORD God brings these things to our attention for our growth in Christ.
Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:5-6)
Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. (Psalm 141:5)
In Christ,
Paul W. Davis