As we prepare to celebrate Easter, we want to turn our focus towards the days that led up to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. We will post a daily reading this week. Read the scripture and the study help below, take some personal notes, pray through and meditate on what you have read, and comment below so we can share with others in our River Church family.
We do not have a clear record of the events that occurred on the Wednesday that preceded Jesus’ crucifixion. Tomorrow’s reading centers on the Last Supper. This meal was part of the Jewish Passover festival. During Passover Psalms 113 through 118 were sung. These Psalms collectively are called the Hallel. At the Passover, Psalms 113-114 were sung before the feast and Psalms 115-118 after drinking the last cup. The song used by our Lord and the disciples on the night of the betrayal (Matthew 26:30), just before the departure for the Mount of Olives, probably included Psalms 115-118.
Take a few moments and read some, if not all of these Psalms. Try to visualize thousands of pilgrims filling the streets of Jerusalem, preparing for the most important festival of the year while singing these songs. They are packed with wonderful expressions of worship and some interesting spiritual insight. Take this section of Psalm 118 for an example:
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:22-24
Bear in mind that Jesus probably sang this song during the Last Supper. The New Testament clearly reveals that verses 22 & 23 are referring to Him (Acts 4:11; Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet 2:7). He is the chief corner stone and His people are about to reject Him and nail Him to a cross. Yet, through that cross God is going to do something unspeakably marvelous for mankind! Even though Jesus knew beforehand the pain that this rejection would cause on His body and soul, He still had the grace to sing, “This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Ask the Lord to teach you how to praise His name through reading these Psalms. Praise Him as the chief corner stone of your life. Praise Him because “His loving-kindness is everlasting” (Ps. 118:1). Praise Him who is the first and the last, who was dead, but is ALIVE forevermore (Rev. 1:17-18).