Issues: He entered the gates with joy, though straight ahead lay rejection and death. It was his day of destiny, his Day of Days-the moment in history that would ignite each day with new meaning for the rest of time.

Often I hear someone repeat these words of the psalmist ‘This is the day which the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" (118:24). This affirmation certainly underscores the joy with which we are to live each day. But do we understand why we can say it?

Psalm 118 is in a portion of the Psalms that the Jews call the Hallel, a term akin to "hallelujah." It includes Psalms 113–118, and is a thanksgiving hymn sung during the great festivals of Israel, particularly the Passover.

Picture now how it might have been as the worshipers, led by the king, sing this hymn in procession to the temple to offer their sacrifice upon the altar. Their Hallel reaches a climax as they come to the words of the 118th Psalm. Everyone who fears the Lord is called to give thanks to him for his eternal love (verses 1–4).

The king now recounts how he had called on the Lord in times of distress-when all the nations were against him, when he was like a dry thorn bush in a raging brush fire-yet the Lord had been his strength and salvation! (verses 5–14). Though pressed on every side, he knew the hand of the Lord was with him; come what may, he would live to declare the works of God (verses 15–18).

Now he asks for "the gates of righteousness" to be opened, that he may enter in and give thanks to the Lord (verse 19). The priests and Levites within respond that this is the gate through which the righteous enter. In this context, of course, the gates of the temple are in view. But ultimately "the gates" are Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and through whom alone we have access to God.

The messianic meaning becomes particularly obvious as the procession enters through the gates, singing:

Here is a prophecy of the Savior's rejection by the Jews, and his consequent death. But it also clearly points to his glorious resurrection, and the building of his church triumphant.

Still marveling in the wonder of it all, the king and the people exclaim, "This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Indeed, it is a time to sing praises to God, for the day of victory has come, and the people of faith have entered into the Kingdom.

In this joyous anticipation, all join in praying for God's deliverance and the success of his cause (verse 25). A benediction is addressed to the worshipers by the priests inside the temple: "Blessed is he who enters in the name of the Lord" (verse 26). The worshipers reply that God has enlightened their spirits to see.

Now comes the actual sacrifice (verse 27). The innocent animal is laid on the brazen altar, and bound with cords to the altar's horns. A priest takes a sharp instrument, and with one violent stroke cuts the throat of the helpless victim.

As blood streams over the altar, symbolizing absolute consecration unto death, the worshipers continue to sing praises to God (verse 28). Their psalm then concludes, as it began, with a call for everyone to give thanks (verse 29).

WITH TEARS

Even though its full import eluded the Jews, this psalm continued to be sung through the centuries. Its words of blessing came to be uttered as a welcome to pilgrims coming to Jerusalem for festival occasions.

This practice was observed by the multitudes on the day when Jesus entered the city for the last time to keep the Passover (Matthew 21:9, Luke 19:38). So fitting was the celebration on that day that, had the people held their peace, the very stones would have cried out! (Luke 19:40). Yet, as Jesus later confessed with weeping, Jerusalem did not know what it was seeing (Luke 19:42).

Later, Jesus told the parable of the wicked vineyard keepers, and used the figure in Psalm 118 of the rejected stone to indicate how he would be treated by the Jewish leaders (Matthew 21:42–44, Luke 20:17–18). If only they understood the Scriptures they had so often sung!

Finally, as Jesus observed the Passover meal with his disciples, this psalm came into its most awesome focus.

They had finished eating the Passover lamb, after which Jesus, as head of the household, had explained the meaning of the day. Doubtless he more fully interpreted the event in terms of his own mission soon to be climaxed at the cross. Though probably startled by these remarks, the group joined in singing the first part of the Hallel, Psalms 113 and 114.

As the last refrain died away, Jesus took the unleavened bread, blessed it broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take, eat this is my body" (Matthew 26:26). Then he took the cup, called "the cup off blessing" (1 Corinthians 10:16). He gave thanks, and handed the cup to them saying, "This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28). With these words Jesus introduced a new Passover.

The Passover meal ended by all joining in singing the second part of the Hallel, Psalms 115–118. It must have been a moving experience. Picture Jesus leading the little company through the psalm:

Imagine seeing Jesus with eyes lifted toward heaven, tears running down his face, singing:

Yes, this was a day to rejoice. Though he was betrayed into the hands of his enemies, though soon his disciples would flee from him, though he would suffer the excruciating death of the cross-yet this was the day God had made for him. This was the day in which, in obedience to his Father, he would effect in his own blood the redemption of the whole world, and thereafter bring life and immortality to light through the power of his resurrection.

Jesus could see the coming glory of the Kingdom, and in that joy he continued to sing:

And when they had finished singing this ancient hymn, Jesus went out into the night (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26, Luke 22:39, John 18:1).

The day had come for which he was born-and he rejoiced in it

WORDS TO THE SHEEP

As we reflect upon the day celebrated in this hymn, applications for us come into view.

For one thing, we are reminded that God creates every day according to plan. Each day is his handiwork, for God never makes mistakes or works without a purpose.

When we live each day according to his will, nothing unimportant happens to us. God intends to work throughout the day for our good, to conform us to Jesus Christ.

This underscores, of course, the necessity of measuring our lives by Christ's commitment. It was his obedience to God's will that obtained our salvation, apart from which we would have no real life now, nor hope for tomorrow. Only because Jesus loved us and gave himself for us does the day break forth with singing. The blood of his cross satisfies the law and releases us from the bondage of death. He has paid it all.

So we can never think of a day fulfilled except in him. Christ alone gives ultimate meaning to history. Yet because he is timeless—"the same yesterday, today, and forever"—the past and the future are joined in him each day to fill the present with the glory of eternity.

Our joy, therefore, comes in obedience to the will of God. Here was the secret of Christ's own joy as he moved toward the cross, a joy that the world cannot give or ever take away. And he has prayed that this same deep, inner peace might be fulfilled in his disciples (John 17:13).

Some time ago I noticed this inscription over a church door: "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise." The words seemed quite appropriate, for they expressed the way I like to enter the house of God.

Then I remembered that immediately preceding those words in Psalm 100 is this statement: "We are his, people, and the sheep of his pasture." I can think of only one reason why sheep would ever be taken out of the pasture and led through the gates of the temple to appear in the very courts of the Holy Sanctuary: They come to be offered on the altar as a sacrifice to God.

The psalmist is talking about us. We are the sheep, and in entering the presence of God, we come to offer ourselves as living sacrifices on his altar. That is why we come in thanksgiving and praise. By pouring out our lives to him, we are no longer our own; we belong to the Lord, who has won the victory. And before him every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

In this certainty, the praise of Jehovah should fill our every hour with gladness. For whatever comes, this is the day the Lord has made.

Today is his creation, not our own-and as a gift of the King, it is a day to celebrate!

Robert E. Coleman teaches at colleges and seminaries throughout the world. He is the author of several books, including the classic The Master Plan of Evangelism. This article draws upon his research for Written in Blood, a Bible study on the blood of Christ.

Sacrifices that Please God

Read Hebrews 13:15–16. What kind of "sacrifices" are mentioned in this passage?

What is one thing you can do in the next twenty-four hours-something "extra" that you had not already planned to do-which would serve as a special "sacrifice" to the Lord in the spirit of Hebrews 13:15–16?

In Tune with God

"Expect great things from God," George Mueller said, "and great things you will have." Take a moment now to review before God your thoughts about living every day for the Lord in obedience and praise. Use these passages to help guide your prayer: Psalm 51:16–17, John 4:23–24, 2 Timothy 4:6–7.