The Essential Jesus (Part 4): Psalms About a Saviorنموونە

Try to Remember

PRAY: Lord, I've got a million things swirling in my mind, but the thing I want most is to know and experience more of you.

READ: Psalm 118:1-29

REFLECT: Psalm 118 contains one of "the greatest hits" from the book of Psalms: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (v. 24) has become the opening sentence for countless worship services around the world.

Originally the psalm commemorated an unspecified victory in Israel's history. The people had faced a back-against-the-wall situation from which God had miraculously delivered them (vv. 5-13). That produced this unrestrained expression of joy and praise to God (vv. 14-28). When are you the most enthusiastic about praising God? People who most recently experienced God's help are often the most energetic about praising him. That's why it's important to remember what God has done for us. It keeps our faith joyful and alive.

In the middle of this celebration of God's past deliverance are two references to an even greater deliverance he planned in the future.

"The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" (v. 22). Jesus quoted this verse at the end of his parable about the evil tenants (Matthew 21:33-46). His point? That he, Jesus, was the stone the religious leaders had rejected but whom God would make into the cornerstone (capstone) of his church. Peter expanded on this theme after the resurrection, calling Jesus "the living Stone" (1 Peter 2:4-7).

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD" (v. 26). This is one of the phrases shouted by the crowds during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week before his death on the cross (Matthew 21:1-11).

The greater deliverance God had in mind was his plan to save the world from sin and offer people a way to have a relationship with him. That was accomplished on the cross, the event we commemorate by taking Communion. How joyful are you when you receive the bread and the cup?

APPLY: Have you ever faced a back-against-the-wall situation from which God delivered you? What happened? How does that help you praise God today?

PRAY: Take a few minutes to joyfully thank God for the ways he's helped and delivered you in your life

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR "PSALMS ABOUT A SAVIOR"

1. Which of the five psalms in this section communicated the most to you about Jesus Christ? Why?
2. How would you respond to a friend who said, "The psalms describe the struggles of someone long ago, but any comparison to Jesus is purely coincidence."?
3. Why do you think Jesus read and memorized Scripture? Can you think of other times when his biblical knowledge helped or came into play?
4. What motivates you the most to read the Bible? When has the Bible meant the most to you in your life? Why?
5. What do you find are the biggest obstacles to reading the Bible regularly? How could you overcome them?
6. Have you ever tried to memorize a verse or passage of Scripture? How did it go? (Can you recite a favorite verse or passage now?)
7. Many people find that the Bible becomes more meaningful in a crisis. Why do you suppose that is so? Has this ever been your experience?

The Essential Jesus (Part 5): Prophecies About a Savior

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