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25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! 

26 When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! 

27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 

28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! 

29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! 

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. 

31 I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame! 

32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! 

Psalm 119:25-32

This passage shows David in a low place. When he says “My soul clings to the dust” it’s his way of saying my soul feels dead. And with the language that follows it appears that he feels dead inside because of his own sin. But this passage also shows a repentant heart that is coming alive by clinging to God and His word. David pleads with God to “give him life according to His word.” 

In verse 26 David repents and he receives teaching from the scriptures. Some versions say “I have declared my ways and You answered me”. The Passion Translation says “I’ve poured out my life before you, and you’ve always been there for me.” The ways this passage is translated lead us to see that David held nothing back when it came to God. He truly had a repentant heart with God. He poured his heart out, he didn’t sugar coat it and come up with reasons and excuses for sins he had committed. He held nothing back. And why would he? Why do we sometimes hold back and still try to make excuses for things that we do that we know are sin? God already knows, so why not pour it out to him. If we truly want heart change that is the only way to it. To be honest with ourselves and honest with God and to pour it all out and then ask God to teach us, to make us understand. David is honest with his repentant heart to God. Whatever sin he was writing about, and David had many, he had come to God to pour it out, to admit that he felt dead inside and that it was of his own doing and that his heart was heavy because of it. He knew the only source for strength and to life was through God and that he would find God when he turned to God’s word! 

This passage also reminds me of a passage in Romans where Paul is saying I don’t do what I want to do and I do what I do not want to do. 

“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”  Romans 7:15-17

The bottom line is the sinful nature is still within us all, and it will be with us until we go home to glory! Now I do believe that the older I get the things that surface in my sinful nature tend to have changed over time. There are things I struggled with in my younger years that I don’t feel the struggle as much now that I’m older and maybe a little wiser. But that does not mean the struggle is not there for something else that rears its ugly head in my nature. David recognized in this Psalm and I believe Paul was recognizing in his passage in Romans that those struggles are there but the way to overcome them is through studying scripture and staying in the Word. David asked God to “strengthen me according to your word!” To “graciously teach me your law.” 

David also recognized that turning away from sin and turning to God was a choice. In verses 30 – 32 David is showing that he was intentional about wanting to turn from his sin. He didn’t just come and lay it all down and then go back to the same old, same old. He poured it out, he asked God to teach him and then he made a choice that he wanted his ways to be different. David couldn’t conquer every sin within him in his human flesh any more than we can conquer every sin within our human flesh. But I believe because of the change of the tone of this passage as you read it, that he was conquering the one he was pouring out to the Lord. David made a choice. He chose the way of faithfulness, he chose to learn what was in the scriptures. He asked the Lord’s help “O Lord, let me not be put to shame” and he chose to run toward God because he knew that is what would revive his dead soul and “enlarge his heart”. 

“Men do not drop into the right way by chance; they must choose it, and continue to choose it, or they will soon wander from it.” Spurgeon

This is all men (and women) we don’t just fall into following God and doing what is right by chance. We must choose to follow Him and continue to choose Him every day, or we will soon wander away. I know that in my own life, when I am not in the word daily, or even when I am but I am reading and putting it aside without studying and trying to chew on it a little and letting it change me, that I will find those things in my ugly sinful nature rearing their head more and more and I find I do not do what I want and I do the very thing that I do not want. But today I’m going to choose to run in the way of His commandments. In His way so as to enlarge my heart! I pray you will too. 

17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. 

18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. 

19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! 

20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. 

21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. 

22 Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. 

23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 

24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. 

Psalm 119:17-24

Gimel is the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The word Gimel in Hebrew is derived from the word gemul, which in Hebrew can mean both reward and punishment. In this passage the Psalmist, for our argument’s sake, David is asking the Lord for spiritual blessings, for reward. The first line “deal bountifully with your servant” is David asking for God to bless Him but He is also recognizing “with your servant” that he comes humbly before God while asking. He comes boldly to God, yet recognizing his place. But his motive for asking is to “live and keep your word.” He asks in verse 18 for understanding of the scriptures. While yesterday we focused on memorizing and reading and hiding God’s word in our hearts. The focus of this passage is understanding so that we can walk in it. 

I love the next verse where David says “I am a sojourner on the earth.” Aren’t we all? When we become Christians and as we study God’s word it becomes more and more evident that this world is not our home. Do you ever feel out of place, maybe in your work place or in your school. For that matter, you can walk into Wal Mart these days and wonder do I even belong here? Or is that just me? I find that the older I get and/or the more I walk with Him, the more I feel less at home on earth. Now that doesn’t necessarily mean I am ready to check out today, I mean I want to watch my grandchildren grow up and I want to see my people living out their purpose on earth, all the while I want to live out mine. But I also know that if and when the Lord does decide to take me home I will be more at home there than I am here. David recognized this, that he felt a little out of place if you will, and he was asking God for more understanding of the scriptures so that he could feel the spiritual blessing of understanding. He wanted to understand so that he would know how God wanted him to live. As the next four verses will show, it appears that David was going through some trials. He wanted to LIVE his life, not just to survive but to THRIVE in his spiritual life even in the midst of what may have been going on when he penned this passage. 

These next four verses made me think of Job. David is apparently in a season of life where he feels that he has people plotting against him. I love studying the life of David because he went through many seasons in his life. He knew times when people revered him and times when people scorned him. He sinned and repented and he worshipped God in good times and in bad times. Our friend Job, was a pretty good guy who did nothing to deserve the hardships that were placed on him and then his friends sat around trying to get him to admit what he had done wrong and he honestly did not have anything to repent of that would have caused him to lose everything. He knew scorn and contempt. David is saying I know scorn and contempt, yet I want to keep my focus on God’s word. Have you ever been there? Where you feel like you may be being scorned, ridiculed if you will, because of your love for the scriptures? I think this is where understanding of the scriptures is most important. For one thing, when I feel scorned or ridiculed for my beliefs, if I am being honest when I think of what Jesus endured on the cross I feel pretty silly for even letting it bother me. I want to understand the scriptures more and more so that I can put things in perspective. I find that when I am staying in the Word like I should that I don’t let the things bother me that might have when I am not. It gives a perspective to every day life so that I can thrive in my everyday rather than to feel I am just surviving. I pray for spiritual understanding of what God is teaching us. I pray it for me and I pray it for you too. 

9   How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 

11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 

12 Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! 

13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 

14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 

15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 

16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. 

Psalm 119:9-16

I have to admit to you here that I am really not very good at memorizing scripture. I want to be, but even when I will decide I am going to memorize a verse or a passage of scripture, I fail at it miserably. I just have a hard time remembering the scripture in relation to its address if you will. I do know verses that I have studied in my heart enough for the Holy Spirit to bring them to my mind. But for the life of me, I rarely can call to mind immediately where it is in scripture. I am getting a little better in that I can narrow it down. But most of the time I still have to go to my search in my Bible app to find exactly where it is. That is, except for the verses I memorized in my younger years. Those, I can usually recite the verse and the reference. 

The Psalmist starts this passage out with a question. “How can a young man keep his way pure? It is not known for certain that David was the author of this Psalm, but many scholars believe he was. I read also, that this Psalm may not have been written in one sitting but may have been pieced together with several different writings. Let’s just say if it was David, his question most likely was about himself. He was asking “how can I keep myself pure?” And he answered himself too ~ “By guarding it according to your Word.” David knew the importance of knowing the scriptures. This is no different for us. The best way for anyone to know the path that God will have for us is to study the scriptures and yes, to memorize them. 

For years I loved reading devotionals and books about the Bible more than I loved reading the Bible. I hate to say that but it’s true. I had a hard time understanding the words I was reading. But the more I study scripture the more I fall in love with scripture. I came to realize over time the importance of reading scripture and praying for understanding. After all; 

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;” Psalm 19:7

This is also why I love to study with different translations that are simpler for my feeble brain to understand, like The Passion Translation, The Message and the New Living Translation. These translations are written in a simpler language for understanding. Now I always use an ESV, NIV or NKJV to go along side of it too, as I believe those translations to be more in line with the original Hebrew, (and there are many more, these are just my favorites). But I believe using those written in simpler languages are good tools to gain understanding of the passage. I also simply enjoy the poetic language that they come up with. 

David, (or the author of this Psalm) had come to an understanding that the way to seek God and to stay on track was to study scripture. People will often be surprised at me getting up as early as I do to study and to write. But the truth is I do it for my own self preservation. I have learned that I am a better person to deal with as the day goes on if I start my day with the Lord and study His word before other humans have to come into contact with me. I also find that when I stay in the word and as I study, more scripture will come to my mind as I encounter various things throughout my day. I may not be good at remembering the address of all my favorite passages but the more I study the more I can recount the words and that is what matters most. That’s the hiding it in my heart, and as I hide it in my heart, maybe I will handle the hard things of my day more in line with the way Jesus would have me to. 

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Knowing scripture is as relevant to us as it was to David all those thousand years ago. Just as this passage says it is living and active, it pierces my soul when I am wrong and helps me to discern my thoughts and intentions. And the more I study scripture the more I love scripture. I love how David points out that he delights in the testimonies and statutes of God’s word. If you, like me have a hard time understanding God’s word, pray for understanding. Pull other translations or a commentary to gain understanding. I promise you the more you study, the more you will delight and the more you delight in God’s word the more you will be guarding your heart according to His word. 

1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! 

2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 

3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 

4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 

5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 

6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 

7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. 

8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! 

Psalm 119: 1-8

At first glance this passage can seems somewhat legalistic in a way. But the more I study it, the more I see it as an observation and a prayer by the Psalmist. The Psalmist is stating that he has seen that those who walk in the ways of the Lord, who lead a blameless life are the happiest people. He is not coming at this from a legalistic standpoint as much as he is saying that seeking God is the only true way to happiness. The world would love for us to think otherwise wouldn’t it? Many people think that walking in the ways of God is a boring life and that there is no fun in it. But truly walking with God is really the only way to true joy. 

In the first verse the Psalmist mentions “the law of the Lord”. His reference here is to the scriptures. He is saying that when you know the scriptures and you keep the scriptures by seeking God with your whole heart is the way to walk in the way of the Lord. 

In verse 5, the Psalmist turns more from a declaration or observation of the blessedness of walking with the Lord to a prayer. “Oh that my ways …” He recognizes when he says this that it is not of his own doing that he will be able to walk in the ways of the Lord, but that it is the work that God is doing in his life. This is taking what he has learned in the scriptures from a head knowledge to a heart knowledge. You see we can know the scriptures, we could know all that there is to know about God’s word yet still we could be walking on our own and not letting it change us. 

It’s just like it says in the book of James ~ 

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22

As we learn the scriptures are we letting what we learn change us? Or are we clinging to our old habits and die hard ways saying “this is the way God made me”? I love verse 7 and 8 and reading them in The Passion Translation put them more plainly for me. 

“I will give my thanks to you from a heart of love and truth. And every time I learn more of your righteous judgments, I will be faithful to all that your Word reveals – so don’t ever give upon me!” Psalm 119:7-8 (TPT)

This christian walk is not something we will ever fully arrive at. But what I think I hear the Psalmist saying is this, as we learn more of God’s word, as we study the scriptures with our heart being guided to love and truth that we will be more faithful to what we learn. I love the way TPT ends it with “so don’t ever give up on me!” Isn’t that the cry of all of our hearts? We would love to walk blameless with Him every day but that will not happen as long as we are walking in our human flesh. But we can walk toward that goal. We can learn the scriptures and walk in what we learned today. And we pray when we mess up, “don’t ever give up on me!” 

Today I wanted to give an overview of where we will be headed over the next few weeks. I have often wanted to study this Psalm so I think the time is now to do so. But today I wanted to give a little overview of it. This Psalm is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is arranged in an acrostic pattern. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and this Psalm contains 22 sections of 8 verses each. Each of the sections is given a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each line in that section begins with that letter. This Psalm is all about glorifying God and His word. Scripture is mentioned in at least 171 of the 176 verses. 

Several great scholars of the past have studied this Psalm and have written great works on it. I will not be able to study those great works in the essence of time, but I will read some commentary and will look at it in various translations. I have read through this Psalm many times, but usually in one sitting. I think that breaking it down will give us, or at least me a greater understanding of it. I figure if the great scholars of the past studied it, it is definitely worth my time to spend at least a little time on it, right? 

I love how this Psalm will point us to scripture, to God’s word over and over. I love God’s word and it is always my wish and my desire and my goal to understand it more and more. I pray that as I study this Psalm, that God will give me, will give us more love for his written word. After all, that is where we will always find Him. Oh I believe we can find Him in creation. I believe we can find Him at times in words spoken over us by pastors, teachers and sometimes friends. I believe we can find Him in the eyes of our loved ones. But I KNOW we can always find Him in the pages of scripture. After all ~ 

“All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Today is an invitation to study along with me. I will be using different versions of the Bible, mainly the ESV, NIV, NKJV, TPT, MSG and NLT. I will be reading some commentary out of my Blue Letter Bible app and I am also using a YouVersion devotional to get understanding. If you choose to study along, I would be so honored. Today, I will sit and read Psalm 119 in its entirety and then over the next few weeks we will take 1 section at a time. I will study and I will share my thoughts and I would love for you to share your thoughts with me. Please remember, I am no scholar, I am not a theologian of any sort, I am just a simple minded woman who loves God, loves His word and Jesus is the absolute Love of my Life! He is my very best friend and I pray I spend the rest of my days learning more and more about Him. I pray my life points others to Jesus. But I also know, I am fallible and I mess up daily, but I beg His forgiveness and yours too and I pray that tomorrow I will do better. Until tomorrow ~ 

Reading: Matt. 27:59-66, Mark 15:46-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42

“Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.” Luke 23:56 ESV

Not a lot was said about Saturday of Holy Week. It was the Sabbath so they had to get Jesus into the tomb on Friday and roll the stone over the tomb and wait until Sunday. Not much was said so we just have to think for ourselves, how were the disciples feeling? How was the Roman soldier, who as soon as Jesus breathed his last breath realized “this man was surely the son of God”, feeling? Have you ever had a sleepless night that you just kept thinking “How can this be?” I think the disciples probably did not sleep a lot. The world was quiet. They were probably together. We know most of them were on Sunday anyway. They probably sat around and rehashed some of the events of the previous days thought “how did we get here?” “What could we have done to stop this?” I just think in my human flesh that is what I would be thinking. I keep thinking of the following passage.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation” Psalm 42:5

They didn’t know it yet but all Hope was not lost. It’s not lost for you and me either. Sunday’s coming! 

Reading:  Matt. 27:1-61, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:63-23:55, John 18:28-19:37

What’s so good about it? I’ve often wondered where in the world did someone come up with Good Friday if this is to represent the day Jesus was crucified? In today’s reading, the chief priests and the elders delivered Jesus over to Pilate to be crucified. Before that Jesus was beaten, mocked, spit on and humiliated by the soldiers. The term used is scourged. The soldiers would take a whip that had shards of glass or sharp rocks tied on the ends of it. They would hurl it at Jesus and when it would hit Him it would tear the flesh right off of Him as they pulled the whip back. They blindfolded Him and kept asking him to prophesy who was hitting Him. They twisted together a crown of thorns and pressed it on His head. 

When He was delivered to Pilate he questioned Him and could not find fault in Him. Pilate sends Jesus to Herod to be questioned because he thought then he would not have to make this decision. Pilate realizes that Herod is not going to decide for him and Jesus is brought back to him to decide. It was a custom to release one prisoner to the Jews during the time of Passover. Pilate, because He found no fault in Jesus offered up a criminal Barabbus. I think he offered Barabbus because maybe that was the most hardened criminal he had and he thought there was no way they would choose to release Barabbus over Jesus. This was his out. However the crowd chooses for Barabbus to be released. Pilate then washes his hands in front of the crowd and says His blood is on you. (Matt 27:24)

Meanwhile the very same people who had shouted Hosanna just days before were now shouting crucify him. They led Jesus away, He had been beaten, scourged, whipped, humiliated, the crown of thorns were pressed onto His head and He was nailed to a cross to die the most painful death imaginable. 

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:50-51 ESV

I have often when reading this passage thought of God taking his holy hands and grasping the curtain to the temple and ripping it from top to bottom. This curtain is the curtain which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The Most Holy Place was where Gods presence dwelled. The high priest could only enter the Most Holy Place one day a year. And now the veil was torn from top to bottom. On that day, at that time, the veil was torn so that we could now approach the throne of God forevermore. 

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV

Reading: Matt. 26:17-75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62 and John 13:1-38 

A lot happened on this day. The day started with the disciples asking 

Jesus where they would eat the Passover meal. Jesus sends them ahead with specific instructions who to talk to and where to go. They follow his instructions and they are led to an upper room of a house and there they prepare the Passover meal. Again can you imagine all of the emotions of Jesus as they sit down for this meal? This meal that is so symbolic to them. Most of us know that the Jews observed this Passover to symbolize when they marked their door posts with the blood of the lamb so that the Lord would spare their first born from death on the eve of the Exodus from Egypt. This was a very important ritual to them and it held many symbols of their faith. 

They had sacrificed a lamb without blemish to enjoy at their meal with each other. Yet Jesus knows that He is about to be the sacrificial lamb for the world. Can you imagine sitting and eating with the one you knew was about to betray you? Jesus even washed the feet of the very person He knew was about to betray Him. (John 13:2-5,12-14) 

He has this meal with His closest friends. The chosen twelve. He washed their feet and He foretold His death. They broke the bread and He told them “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Lk 22:19) He took the cup of wine and said “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Lk 22:20). Then after the meal they sang praises and they set out to the Mount of Olives so that Jesus could pray. 

Jesus was in anguish while praying. He asked the Father to take this cup from Him if possible. God didn’t take the cup from Him but He did send Him an angel to strengthen Him. (Lk 22:43). And then He was betrayed. The soldiers came. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss no doubt. And then one of the last recordings of Jesus words on this Thursday is “But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. ”Matthew 26:56 ESV.  

Jesus understood what was happening but His disciples did not. What started out as a good day was ending very dark and confusing to them. They began the day pledging their allegiance to Him and ended it by them fleeing Him probably in fear for their own lives as well as confusion about who Jesus said He was and how this was unfolding. Even though Jesus had given them glimpses of what was going to happen they couldn’t understand this. This was not how they envisioned it. This was not how they would have done it. The one they have followed and loved and believed was being handed over to be put on trial and the sentence was going to be crucifixion. I wonder when they realized that was going to happen. Was it when He was arrested? Or did the news come to them little by little. When Pilate asked the crowd didn’t they want Jesus to be released instead of Barabbus, were the disciples standing there dumbfounded that the crowd, that had just days earlier been waving palm branches were now yelling “Crucify Him”? When that rooster crowed and Jesus turned and looked at Peter and Peter came face to face with his own failure and disappointment in himself, did they think it was all over? I wonder. 

Reading: Matt. 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11 and Luke 22:3-6

Wednesday of Holy Week was a dark day. There is not much recorded. The only sources I have had me read the short passages listed above. We will look at Luke. 

“Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.” Luke 22:3-6 ESV

I have been known to say to myself as well as to others. “sometimes things get worse before they can get better.” Well things are beginning to get worse. Even if behind the scenes at the moment. Jesus rode in on Palm Sunday on a donkey to shouts of Hosanna. He became angry in the temple and drove out the moneychangers, then He had a full day of teaching in the temple. Now one of his followers, one of his own people are about to betray him. For money no less. So where was Jesus? On this day when Judas is meeting with the chief priests to make a deal? We wonder where Jesus was. One of the commentaries I read suggested that He was resting because the day before had been such a full day. Taking a time out so to speak. Passover was coming and with it would come His last meal with His people before He would be betrayed and handed over. And whipped and beaten. And crucified. What a roller coaster of emotions this Holy Week must have been for Him. 

This brings to mind 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Take note of the way Luke is describing this ~ “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot”. You know Judas was a friend to Jesus. He was there for the miracles. He was there for the camaraderie that must have existed among this group of men who travelled and ministered together. He would have been there when fish and bread multiplied and pigs plunged to their death and when Lazarus walked out of a grave alive when he had been dead for three days already. But still Satan found a way in to him. He let his guard down somewhere and Satan entered into him so that he could betray Jesus, his friend.

 I tend to feel my emotions a little all over the radar during this week and this season. For the past few years I really like to take the time to focus on the week and just think about what was happening in the world at that time and what is happening in my world in the present. What emotions was Jesus having that week? He was spending time with the people closest to him. All the while He knew what was coming. When I think about what was coming for Him AND that He knew, I realize that I probably don’t always need to know. I will think I do. I will drive myself crazy about what is coming next in whatever situation that is at hand. When what I need to do is just keep clinging to the One who knows. The one who is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). I think we are called to be diligent, be sober minded, to realize we have an adversary and he does prowl the earth and he does want to devour us. But God is still in control. He is still here. He is on the throne and even when we can’t see Him. He is working all things out for good for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28].

Reading: Matt. 21:23-24:51, Mark 11:20-13:37, Luke 20:1-21:38, John 12:20-38 

On Monday Jesus was running the merchants out of the temple and on Tuesday He was back in the temple teaching. This was Jesus last day to teach in the temple before his death and He packed it full. I was thinking this may be what it’s like for the person who gets the terminal diagnosis who has so many things to tell their people. Jesus taught so many parables on this day. The reading is a bit more extensive but He had so much to tell us on this teaching day. One thing that 3 of the gospels hit was this one. 

“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?  Matthew 21:42 ESV

Jesus being the cornerstone is also mentioned in Mark 12:10 and Luke 20:17

Jesus knew that He was about to be rejected and turned over to be crucified. He knew that His days of earthly ministry were coming to a close and this was one of his final messages to the people. To us! They would have known that the cornerstone of a building is the foundation that the entire building is built on. The cornerstone is the rock that the entire structure rests. Jesus is the rock that our entire Christian life should rest. This was the week that all of the rituals and the sacrifices would be fulfilled. Jesus was telling them that even though He would be rejected by them that He is the cornerstone. He is what our faith life, the church and all that is good is built on. He is what I want my life to be built on. My hope is built on nothing less.