Day 31 – Wednesday
Read Psalm 118
Psalm 118 is another Psalm the early church used extensively to describe the ministry and mission of Jesus. Jesus himself uses it to describe both his triumphal entry (verse 26 in Luke 13:35) and his rejection and death (verse 22 in Luke 20:17).
Psalm 2 and Psalm 110, the two other Psalms that were used often by the New Testament writers to describe Jesus, are Psalms about Jesus’ kingship. They are triumphant Psalms of a conquering king. Psalm 118 however describes the radically different way that triumph takes place – through rejection. “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.” The Psalmist reminds us that “the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (vs. 23).
As we reflect on that “rejection” during this season of Lent, it is important to remember that “God has done this.” God has made the stone that was rejected the foundation stone. It is important to remember God has done this because it is not the way we would have chosen to do things. When we, as humans, set out to “save” the world we gather power and riches and resources. We hire the best and the brightest, we demand clear benchmarks of success, and we expect efficiency. God chose a small corner of the Roman Empire, a small town miles away from the closest major city, and a poor working class family. Jesus grew up in relative obscurity, most likely following the carpenter trade of Joseph. When he finally entered the public scene, he worked hard to not let the crowds get too big. He mostly worked in the outskirt towns of Judea and not in the capital. He spent an awful lot of time with disciples who were clearly not the best and the brightest, choosing them to begin his Church when he was gone. And his crowning achievement was a criminal’s death. The whole trajectory of his life makes no sense to what we think of as “success.” “The stone the builders rejected has become the foundation stone. The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”
Prayer
Spend some time reflecting on how God’s ways are not our ways. Ask Him to show you more deeply His salvation that comes through suffering and rejection.