Psalm 118:22-23

Read Psalm 118:22-23

Helpful Background Information:  

• In our teaching text last week, the crowds chose words from Psalm 118 to sing as Jesus entered Jerusalem in a way that carried royal connotations. In doing so, they were petitioning Jesus to bring them salvation and deliverance from  Rome. In our teaching text this week, it is Jesus who borrows words from Psalm 118 in His response, clarifying His role in the story that was unfolding.

• In Mark 12, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23 after telling the parable of the vineyard owner. He likens the tenant farmers’ rejection of the son (Mark 12:6-8) to the builders’ rejection of a stone (Mark 12:10). In the case of Psalm 118, the stone that was rejected became the cornerstone. Jesus is fully aware of the fact that even though He will soon be rejected by His own people, He will still become the most essential aspect of what is coming next. 

• Resentment grows in the Jewish leaders when they realize Jesus was speaking these words against them. Mark tells us that they wanted to arrest Jesus, but decided not to because they feared the crowd (v.12). 

Reflection Questions: 

• Both the crowd and Jesus quote words from Psalm 118 but the crowd only seems to emphasize the part they like. Why do people tend to focus on the parts of Scripture that suit their own interests at the expense of other parts that don’t? 

• Jesus makes it clear that the people who were supposed to receive Him chose to reject Him. How does God use Jesus’ rejection to bring about redemption?

• Based on the behavior of the Jewish leaders, it seems as though this is yet another case where their fear of the crowd drove their decision. Why is it dangerous to allow popular opinion to determine the decisions you make? Name an example. Pray and ask God to be the One who guides your decisions.