[The Mayor]

April 13, 2005

The Darkest Day

Read:
Matthew 26:17-30

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. -Psalm 118:22

Bible In One Year: Psalm 7-9

To celebrate Passover, Jewish worshipers sing Psalms 113-118, a section called the "Egyptian Hallel." The ceremony builds to a crescendo of appreciation for freedom and the beauty of life given by God. It ends with participants singing and praising God both to please Him and to express their own pleasure. One rabbi explains it as experiencing the "emotional joy of freedom."

Near the end of the Passover meal, the second half of these Hallel psalms are sung. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn and "went out to the Mount of Olives" after celebrating their last Passover together (26:30). They may well have sung this psalm:

The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord's doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:22-24).

Regardless of which hymn they sang, the confidence Jesus had in the goodness of His heavenly Father is astounding. He was able to praise His Father even though He knew He was about to experience His darkest day. -Julie Link

Even on the darkest days
My heart sings in joyful praise,
Not because God says I should
But because I know He's good. -Link

Praise has the power to lighten our heaviest burden.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Why Did Christ Have To Die?

[deadhead]

Even on the darkest days
My heart sings in joyful praise,
Not because God says I should
But because I know He's good

Good Morning, Mayor

[Mama_Bear]

'Morning, yer Honor. Thanks for the morning devotional. :-)

[Texagirl4W]

Thanks for another great message. Would you believe I was in another car accident yesterday.

I pulled into valet park at the office building I was visiting and before I could get out the car, the one behind me ran into me. The valet attendant was knocked down and hurt. It would have been much worse if I had not put the car in park. I am very sore and will have to see my back doctor to ensure all the hardware he put in me is still in place. I should get a band aid on my car to let everyone know I've already been hit, please leave me alone.