Scripture: Psalm 118, Matthew 21:33-46
Focus: The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. ~Psalm 118:22-23
Commentary: Psalm 118 teaches us that our whole lives are set in the context of God’s steadfast love, extravagant grace and enduring faithfulness. It is one of the most frequently quoted psalms in the New Testament, and it is Martin Luther’s favorite. Luther calls it a “friend” in times of trouble.
Jesus quotes Psalm 118, in the presence of religious leaders, just after telling the parable of the tenant farmers who killed the son of the vineyard owner to take his inheritance. He uses these 2 verses to challenge the religious leaders while indicating that God is doing a new thing in their midst! The cornerstone, from an architectural standpoint, is necessary for the stability of a structure and can be a memorial to the builder. The religious leaders couldn’t see Jesus for who he was so he was rejected, just as the stone in the psalm, but God will restore (resurrect) Jesus, the one they murdered for their own gain.
The psalmist may have been rejected and cast out but later restored through God’s presence and intervention. Psalm 118 is a beautiful testimony to God’s faithfulness. God’s action in times of trouble is underscored through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Reflection: Have you ever felt rejected? How did you find restoration, if only within yourself? How might you use Psalm 118 in your prayer life when you find yourself in times of trouble, to express your faith?
If music is a spiritual pathway for you, listen to Cornerstone with Hillsong (YouTube)
Breath Prayer for the Day
Breathing in … Faithful God
Breathing out … Restore my soul
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