Journey to the Cross

"The King of Psalm 118: Triumph at the Gates"

**Scripture:** Psalm 118:19-29 (LSB), with Matthew 21:1-11 and 23:39 (LSB)

**Date:** March 30, 2025 (Psalms Sunday)

**Theme:** Christ, the rejected King of Psalm 118, triumphs as the cornerstone, entering to save his people through the cross.

**Goal:** Exalt Jesus as the sovereign Lord of Psalm 118, whose triumph fulfills God’s praise and calls us to worship.

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

- "It’s Psalms Sunday—our fifth Sunday tradition to lift up God’s songbook. We’re on our journey to the cross. Week 1, Mark 8 showed Jesus resolute to die and rise. Week 2, Matthew 16 named him the Christ, building his church. Last week, John 13 revealed his love, washing feet before the cross. Today, Psalm 118 meets Matthew 21—Jesus rides into Jerusalem as the King of triumph, fulfilling this ancient song."

- "Psalm 118 sings of a King entering gates, rejected yet victorious. The crowds shouted it—‘Hosanna!’—as Jesus rode in on a donkey. Later, in Matthew 23, he quotes it again, longing for the city to see him. This is his triumph—humble, costly, eternal. Let’s hear his song and praise him."

2. Expositional Walkthrough of Psalm 118:19-29 (25-30 minutes)

A. Verses 19-21: The King Enters the Gates**

- "Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to Yah. This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter through it. I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation."

- "The psalmist cries, ‘Open the gates of righteousness!’—picture Jerusalem, God’s city, the place of his presence. In Matthew 21:1-5, Jesus rides in—nearing the city, sending for a donkey. Why a donkey? Zechariah 9:9 says, ‘Your king is coming… humble, on a donkey.’ This is no warlord—it’s the King of righteousness, entering the gate."

- "Psalm 24:7 shouts, ‘Lift up your heads, O gates!’—that’s happening here. Jesus fulfills it, riding in as Matthew 21:10 says, stirring the city. ‘You have become my salvation’—like Exodus 15:2 after the Red Sea, Moses sang God as salvation. Jesus is that answer—Genesis 3:15’s seed, crushing sin’s head through the cross he’s riding toward."

- "He’s not just any king—he’s the righteous one, the gate-opener. In Matthew 23:39, he’ll say, ‘You will not see me until you say, “Blessed is He…”’—quoting this psalm, longing for them to recognize him. His entry starts the triumph—salvation’s King has come."

B. Verses 22-25: The Rejected Cornerstone Triumphs**

- "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is from Yahweh; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which Yahweh has made; let us rejoice… Save us, we beseech You, O Yahweh… send prosperity!"

- "‘The stone the builders rejected’—builders saw it as junk, but God made it the cornerstone, the key to the whole structure. In Matthew 21:6-9, the crowds cheer Jesus—‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’—quoting verse 25, ‘Save us!’ They wave branches, like Leviticus 23:40’s festival joy, hailing the King from 2 Samuel 7:12-13, David’s forever throne."

- "But rejection’s coming—Isaiah 53:3 foresaw a despised servant. Days later, they’ll cry ‘Crucify!’ Matthew 23:39 shows Jesus weeping, ‘You won’t see me till you say it’—they reject the stone, but God lifts him. ‘This is from Yahweh’—not their plan, God’s. Genesis 49:10-11 ties Judah’s king to a donkey—Jesus is that ruler, triumphant through the cross."

- "‘This is the day’—his entry, his death, his rising—it’s marvelous. The crowds miss it, but we see—rejoice! He’s the cornerstone—humble, cast off, yet holding God’s kingdom together, fulfilling every promise of salvation."

C. Verses 26-29: The Blessed King is Praised**

- "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of Yahweh; we have blessed you from the house of Yahweh… Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. You are my God… Give thanks to Yahweh, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting."

- "‘Blessed is he who comes’—Matthew 21:9’s crowds shout this, palm branches waving, like 2 Kings 9:13 for a king. Jesus enters as Deuteronomy 18:15’s prophet, Isaiah 9:6’s Prince of Peace—but more, the Son of David. ‘House of Yahweh’—he heads to the temple, cleansing it, showing he’s Lord."

- "In Matthew 23:39, he quotes this—‘Blessed is He…’—praying Jerusalem would bless him. They won’t yet, but his triumph stands. ‘Festival sacrifice’—he’s the Lamb, bound to the cross, not an altar. Hosea 11:4’s ‘cords of love’ hold him there—his blood fulfills Leviticus 17:11’s atonement."

- "‘His lovingkindness is everlasting’—Jesus proves it, entering to die, rising to reign. He’s the blessed King—praised then, crucified soon, exalted forever. His triumph sings God’s goodness through the ages."

3. Theological Reflection (5-7 minutes)

- "Psalm 118 sings Christ’s covenant triumph—Genesis 3:15’s seed, 2 Samuel 7’s King, Psalm 118’s stone. He ties God’s story—salvation through suffering, not swords, from creation to cross."

- "Reformed truth—his victory is God’s work. We rejoice, not build. The cross defeats sin, AD 70 proves his reign over rebels, his return finishes it."

- "His rejection is his glory—humble King, cornerstone of an unshakable kingdom. Psalm 118’s song is ours—praise him!"

4. Conclusion and Response (5 minutes)

- "The King of Psalm 118 triumphed—rejected, yet raised. Jesus rode in to die for us—the Christ who saves through the cross. Worship him with all you’ve got."

- "This Holy Week, sing Psalm 118—praise him as King, trust his triumph, live in his victory. He’s won."

- "He entered, died, and rose. His reign is sure. Praise him!"

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