We are finally in Jerusalem with Jesus. This week, please read Mark 11-13 and Johnson pp.175-77. In the modern church, one of the more neglected parts of Scripture is the Psalms. However, throughout the New Testament and the early Christian writers, the Psalms are referred to more than any other Old Testament book. For it is the Psalms that speak of Christ more than anywhere else. Throughout the readings for this week, Mark relies heavily on the Psalms to tell us who Jesus is:
- When Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem, the people quote Psalm 118:25 “Blessed is he who enters in the name of Lord” and the “Hallelujahs” of Psalm 148:1.
- Jesus’ parable of the vineyard in Mark 12:1 (where the vineyard is an allegory for Jerusalem) has its roots in Psalm 80:8-10.
- Jesus directly applies Psalm 118:22-23 (“the stone the builders have rejected as become the cornerstone”) to himself in Mark 12:10.
- Jesus’ teaching in Mark 12:33, that God doesn’t command sacrifice is found in Psalm 40:6 and Psalm 51:16.
- In Mark 12:36, Jesus directly applies Psalm 110:1 (“the LORD said to my Lord”) to himself.
- Finally, Jesus’ teaching in Mark 13:31 concerning the endurance of the word of God was first proclaimed in Psalm 102:26 and Psalm 119:89.
The Gospel doesn’t teach anything new, rather it brings together the essential teachings already found in the Old Testament, especially those teachings found in the Psalms.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is Pork Bolognese & Mafalda Pasta. Discussion about 6:45. Hope to see you here.
Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
Psalm 118:19-26
I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the Lord.
“This is the gate of the Lord; *
he who is righteous may enter.”
I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.
The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
On this day the Lord has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Hosannah, Lord, hosannah! *
Lord, send us now success.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *
we bless you from the house of the Lord.