Christ Opening the Gate

Psalm 118:1,2,19-29; Matthew 21:1-11

This last Sunday was Palm Sunday celebrating when Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Our Psalm passage tells about the joy of entering the gates of righteousness, which were literally the gates to the temple. Could this also be seen as a metaphor of the way into God’s spiritual kingdom? This Psalm is one of rejoicing and praising God for answering the psalmist in distress and becoming his salvation.

 One way this matches up with our Matthew scripture is when they are told to bind up the festal provision with branches. Skip ahead to our Matthew account where people praise Jesus with palm branches crying “Hosanna” which means “God save us now!” This crowd is expecting Christ to save them from the Roman government.

It is full of praise stating, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Did they steal this from Psalm 118 verse 26 which states the exact same praise? Are they repeating the Psalm they knew well, hoping upon hope that this was the Messiah who would save them?

They cry out Hosanna in the highest heaven shouting God save us now which compares with Psalm 118 verse 25 saying, “Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!”

There is plenty of praise for God in the Psalm which gives thanks over and over for God’s steadfast love which endure forever. The Lord has given light in the darkness of despair.

The Palm waving parade of Christ entering Jerusalem brings Christ into the last week of his life on earth which we call Holy Week. As the Jewish people brought sacrifices and offerings to the temple, Christ enters Jerusalem as the great sacrifice. He will perform the Last Supper, go to Gethsemane, and pray that this cup will be taken from him, and be arrested. Many of the people who shouted Hosanna will end up shouting “Crucify him.” So, what we celebrate as Good Friday comes, Christ dying for our sins. 

The story isn’t over yet until Easter Sunday when Christ arises from the dead. The true Messiah grants power over physical and spiritual death. Due to this we along with the psalmist can say, “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” The one who has entered the heavenly righteous gate invites us all to enter with him. He has truly answered the psalmist who asked the Lord to open the gates of righteousness that he may enter in. May we thank the Lord for his sacrificial love for providing a way for us to enter the gate of righteousness. Amen

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