We are thankful because God has opened the gates of righteousness
By Dean Collins
The only gates in the neighborhood where I grew up were the chain-link fence gates in everyone’s backyards. The purpose of the fences seemed to be to keep children out of the streets and to keep dogs out of neighbors’ yards. I don’t remember using the gates all that much. As a kid, if you wanted to get to the other side, the shortest path was to climb over and avoid the extra steps it took to get to the gate.
I have a few friends who live in gated communities. The gates sometimes include security stations or require a code to gain access. If you don’t have a code or the homeowner hasn’t given the security guard your name, you can’t get into the neighborhood. Only those who live in the gated communities have continual access, secured by purchasing a home inside the community.
The gate of the Lord
In Psalm 118 we read about the gate of the Lord. The righteous are able to walk through it because the Lord has opened the gates of righteousness for us by paying the price of our sins.
In the context of Psalm 118, the gates would have been understood as the gates to the Tabernacle and later the temple. Part of the Feast of Tabernacles included a ceremony where a designated group of priests and Levites would approach the temple gates and quote Psalm 118:19: “Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.”
On the other side of the gate was another group of priests who would respond: “This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.” After hearing this response, the first group would walk through the gate.
Stumbling over the truth
Many verses of Scripture from the Old Testament are quoted in the New Testament. But I never would have guessed that Psalm 118 was one of the most often quoted OT passages in the NT. The commonly quoted verse is 22: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” When Psalm 118 was written and during the many times the Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated through the centuries, the scribes and Pharisees certainly did not anticipate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. “Born in a stable to a young virgin” was not the script anyone had for the coming Messiah.
It is no wonder that when Jesus appeared and even quoted these words, the Pharisees and religious scholars would stumble over the truth that Jesus conveyed. Peter in his epistle would use this passage as Jews and Gentiles continued to reject the one who was the gate that allowed access to the presence of God. Without the sacrifice of Jesus, we would still cower in our unrighteousness and shame. But now we can walk through the gate because Jesus has become our salvation.
The psalmist’s call is for us to give thanks to the Lord for what he has done for us! As we gather for Thanksgiving celebrations this year, may we declare the marvelous gift of salvation that is ours in Christ!
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever”!
Lord, the blessings you have given us are truly uncountable! We thank you first and most for the gift of a Savior who is our gate and pathway to you and to eternal life. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we might share your love with others, especially those who do not yet realize that you are the gate, the way, the truth, and the life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 118:19-29; John 10:9; Philippians 3:9-11 ESV
Photo by Nickbeer at istockphoto.com.
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