Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
EASTER, THE CELEBRATION OF NEW LIFE
Psalms 118 1-4, 14-17Vs.14 The lord is my strength and my song ,he has become my salvation.
On Easter sunday, the Church proclaims,”O give thanks to the lord, for he is good, his steadfast love endures for ever. Jesus Christ is risen, and in Christ we too shall rise, God's steadfast love endures for ever. The themes of this psalm are thanksgiving to God and reliance on Him rather than on human strength. This psalm has been a regular part of Jewish and Christian liturgies. Most probably David was the author of this psalm and it partakes of David's spirit, the style is grand and noble and the subject is majestic. Thought it is likely David's psalm, it was also Jesus' psalm. This is pre eminently the triumph song of Christ, the ideal servant, the perfect priest and true leader of the people.
Since new testament times, this psalm evokes the story of Easter in Christians. We could very well see a humiliation and an exaltation in this text, which is a foreshadowing of of Jesus. His rescue of the humanity from death is new and a fresh sign that God's steadfast love endures for ever. It is a song of exaltation for Christians, because it recalls God's deliverence of the people from their sins, and we owe to Him alone our gratitude, joy and hope. The writer of this psalm had an understanding to preach Jesus' victory over evil. Verse 17 of this psalm is being used in our litury for a long time: which read :- the stone that the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone. When we scroll through the scriptures, one can see that the life of Jacob, Joseph, David, each were rejcted but God raised them high, and it was certainly true of our Lord Jesus.
When we glance through the history, protestant reformers like Martin Luther and John wycliffe, who went through great hardships and struggles in their life, had great passion for this psalm. They quoted and proclaimed, verse 17, “ I shall not die, but live and record the deed of the lord”. This verse also has great meaning and quite true of Lord Jesus before his crucifixion, where he would endure His father's will, and that He will not die, but live forever to judge both the living and the dead.
Just as the psalmist was delivered from enemies by God, Christ Jesus empower us, comfort us and has delivered us from the realm of death and Satan. He did all these, so that we might proclaim the deeds of the Lord. Easter therefore is the day Lord has made, let us rejoice an be glad in it.
Since new testament times, this psalm evokes the story of Easter in Christians. We could very well see a humiliation and an exaltation in this text, which is a foreshadowing of of Jesus. His rescue of the humanity from death is new and a fresh sign that God's steadfast love endures for ever. It is a song of exaltation for Christians, because it recalls God's deliverence of the people from their sins, and we owe to Him alone our gratitude, joy and hope. The writer of this psalm had an understanding to preach Jesus' victory over evil. Verse 17 of this psalm is being used in our litury for a long time: which read :- the stone that the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone. When we scroll through the scriptures, one can see that the life of Jacob, Joseph, David, each were rejcted but God raised them high, and it was certainly true of our Lord Jesus.
When we glance through the history, protestant reformers like Martin Luther and John wycliffe, who went through great hardships and struggles in their life, had great passion for this psalm. They quoted and proclaimed, verse 17, “ I shall not die, but live and record the deed of the lord”. This verse also has great meaning and quite true of Lord Jesus before his crucifixion, where he would endure His father's will, and that He will not die, but live forever to judge both the living and the dead.
Just as the psalmist was delivered from enemies by God, Christ Jesus empower us, comfort us and has delivered us from the realm of death and Satan. He did all these, so that we might proclaim the deeds of the Lord. Easter therefore is the day Lord has made, let us rejoice an be glad in it.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, on Easter sunday, you resurrected from death, had victory over the evil, death and satan. It is our great joy, and hope. You earned us eternal life, justified us before the father. Thank you Lord, your steadfast love which endures for ever. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Without (Easter) resurrection of the Lord Jesus, Christianity is powerless and dead.. We owe our gratitude and love to Him alone.
Thought for the Day
Without (Easter) resurrection of the Lord Jesus, Christianity is powerless and dead.. We owe our gratitude and love to Him alone.
Dr. John K.Thomas Tabor MTC