Despised by All

I am a worm and not a man.
PSALM 22:6
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Despised by All
Since the enemy's iniquity is great and his anger violent, this Ruler [Christ] takes pleasure and joy in making a fool of such a wicked, fierce, and proud spirit, and mocking him. In order to ordain this strength, He degrades Himself so profoundly and becomes a man, yes, even degrades Himself below all men, as it is written in Psalm 22:6: "I am a worm and no man; scorned by men, and despised by the people." Therefore He goes about in poverty, as He Himself says, Matthew 8:20: "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." In such physical weakness and poverty He attacks the enemy, lets Himself be put on the cross and killed, and by His cross and death He destroys the enemy and the avenger, as St. Paul says, Colossians 2:15: "He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in Him."

From Commentary on Psalm 8 (Luther's Works 12:110)
March 16
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