JESUS and Salvation (Ps.118)

At first I was not going to write on these passages, but after taking a closer look, I saw that it contained so many references to Jesus.  Psalm 118 definitely has a theme of thankfulness for the LORD's salvation (both earthly salvation and eternal salvation)...

 (Psalm 118:15-18)  The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous;  the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted;  the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
17 I will not die, but live, and tell of the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.

I'm slightly amused how David is so bold to joyously tell of the works of the LORD - and includes his own experiences of being severely disciplined by the LORD.  But you know when a parent really loves you - that they care enough to discipline you when you need correction.

(Psalm 118:19-21)  Open to me the gates of righteousness;  I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord;  the righteous will enter through it.
21 I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation.

We need to realize that we are sinners, and when we HAVE committed sins - so we can then ask God to deal with them - so we can seek reconciliation with God.  And we are only able to do this because of Jesus' work on the cross.  That event happened after Jesus was rejected - Jesus was the "corner stone" that was rejected...

(Psalm 118:22-24)   The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing;  it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord has made;  let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Now, the verses above have double meaning.  They refer to Israel's king at that time, who fought the invading nations and God gave Israel the victory;  but it also refers to Jesus...

(Acts 4:10-12) "...let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

It is very clear in the scriptures that salvation is only possible in Jesus' name.  And continuing on with Psalm 118, David includes other references that apply to Jesus, such as "light" and "horns"  (remember the "horn of salvation" - taking hold of the horns on the altar was to seek refuge)...

 (Psalm 118:25-27)   O Lord, do save, we beseech You;  O Lord, we beseech You, do send prosperity!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord;  we have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God, and He has given us light;  bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

Another reference to Jesus is found in the underlined words above "Blessed is..."  The Jews proclaimed this when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to present Himself as their King.  Clearly, the people recognized Jesus as their King - as their Messiah.  They had connected the dots and this reference from king David...

(Matthew 21:8-9)  Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. 9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David;  blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;  Hosanna in the highest!”

Because the people rejected Jesus soon after this, Jesus made this statement to them:  that He would not publicly teach them anymore until the Millennium, when they will say those words again and finally accept Him as their King...

(Matthew 23:37-39)  “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.  38 Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! 39 For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

Of course, Jesus always knew that He would be rejected.  He knew He would die on the cross for our sins.  Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice... the perfect sacrifice... to establish salvation so we can have everlasting life.  The question is: are you going to reject or accept Jesus?

 (Psalm 118:28-29)   You are my God, and I give thanks to You;  You are my God, I extol You.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;  for His lovingkindness is everlasting.