Pastor Ken
Many well-known and beloved verses in the Bible are called “golden verses.” For example, John 3: 16, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” If you grew up in a Christian family, you may have memorized thirty or forty such golden verses. The golden verses are often short, powerful, and can strengthen our faith. The downside is that we may take them out of context and misinterpret them.
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” It is a verse from Psalm 118: 22-24. It has been turned into a hymn, and many churches use it to begin worship services. People tend to clap and move with the rhythm. However, why do we rejoice and be glad? The song does not say, and song leaders don’t always offer an explanation. Some may think that they’re happy because they come together after not seeing each other for a week. Others may feel glad because they don’t have to go to work on Sunday and get to sit in a comfortable setting for a good sermon.
The theme of Psalm 118 is about our dependence on the Almighty God. The context of this particular verse is this: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the capstone. This is what the Lord has done, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” It’s an image of building a house. The craftsmen place a suitable stone on the spot where the two walls join as the foundation of the house. This stone is also called the cornerstone. It must be large, flat, and hard enough to ensure that the walls built on it will stay straight and firm.
How is it possible that a stone considered unsuitable by the craftsmen, a stone to be discarded, becomes the most important stone? Unless this is the act of the Almighty God.
Ephesians 2: 19-22 says that believers, as God’s people and members of God’s household, are built into a holy temple “on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Yes, Jesus Christ is the “rejected stone” mentioned in Psalm 118. The Gospel books tell us that during Jesus’ public ministry, He taught, healed the sick, cast out demons, and brought God’s blessings into many people’s lives. However, He was misunderstood and rejected in His hometown. The religious leaders and government officials wanted to eliminate him. When he was arrested, almost all the disciples grew fearful and deserted Him. On the cross in his agony, he felt that even God the Father had abandoned him.
How does being abandoned feel like? No one stands up for you, no one speaks for you, and nobody cares about you. Jesus was abandoned and rejected. But on the third day after being crucified, He rose from death. God the Father didn’t abandon Him and made Him the most important “cornerstone” for the forgiveness of sins and the gateway to eternal life. Believers can experience Jesus’ presence and marvel at God’s power. We thank God for allowing us to become Jesus’ disciples. That’s why we have joy in our hearts.
It is worth rejoicing this day, not because we think of all kinds of happy things, but because we see God’s miraculous deeds in Jesus. We gladly come to worship the Lord who is worth all the glory.
