“A victory like no other”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Monday, April 1, 2024
Psalm 118: 19-24 (Forward, p. 63) CEV p. 629
As is often the case, Biblical scholars and teachers are unable to ascertain exactly what the original context was for this psalm. It is immediately apparent, however, that it commemorates a victory of some sorts, and so, it became one of the Egyptian Hallel psalms used in the Passover Seder. Be that what it may, it also becomes apparent, when reading further in the psalm—in verses 19-20 in particular—that it was also a psalm of ascent for one of the three major pilgrim Jewish feast days, Passover, Pentecost, or Tabernacles. There one sees a verbal challenge at the city or temple gates, a challenge and a counterchallenge, concerning who is worthy to enter in. Some translations suggest righteousness as the defining quality, those who are righteous, while still others mention ‘justice’, those who do right.
Well as this might have applied to ancient Israel, Christians cannot fail to see an echo of this in the events of Holy Week, in Jesus’ procession on Palm Sunday and in Jesus’ entering the Holy of Holies once and for all by virtue of His atoning death and resurrection. Jesus is indeed the one who is worthy, the one who fulfills all righteousness.
The psalm goes even further in alluding to Jesus—in describing an unnamed person as the 'stone which the builders rejected’ and which in time became the most important stone of all, the chief stone, the cornerstone. It was in this sense that numerous New Testament authors saw Jesus. And so, in Christ Jesus, we have the final and ultimate victory. The Passover and the Exodus were limited in time, place and audience, but Jesus’ victory is final and complete and all encompassing. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Forward notes: “On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (verse 24).
“Many years ago, I developed a puzzling illness that physicians suspected was potentially fatal. A lengthy, anxious round of testing ultimately revealed the disease was manageable and not life-threatening. I was so enormously relieved and grateful that I vowed to include in my prayers each day, ‘This is the day that you have made; I will rejoice and be glad in it. Amen.’
“There are mornings when I wake up centred and filled with hope, a day offering promise and connection. On other days, I feel desolate, reluctant to face what lies ahead, and praying this psalm is challenging. There are all sorts of days in between these extremes, and over the years, I have prayed this verse so many times I am not always even aware of praying it. But I have, and I commit to continuing.
“God has given us this day, a day we might not have had. Such as we are, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Moving Forward: “Try saying these words every day as you awaken or pray: ‘This is the day that you have made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.’”