Psalm 118:27

Psalm 118:27

He has made His light shine on us

Do you remember the Priestly Benediction that was re-enacted on countless occasions over the people who gathered at the Temple? “May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:25. No doubt these very familiar words were in the people’s minds as they saw a direct fulfilment in their own time and they could say, “He has made His light shine on us.”

Now we have, once again, an insight into the events that unfolded in Jerusalem on the day of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus. The crowds cut down tree branches, including palms, and waved them before the Lord who sat astride that lowly donkey. This is called a “festal procession” suggesting that it was carried out at a time of feasting and national celebration. Interestingly, the waving of branches accompanied the Feast of Tabernacles, in autumn, whereas the branches that were waved before Jesus were waved at Passover, in the spring, 6 months earlier! It seems highly likely that this was a most symbolic celebration, just as the Feast of Tabernacles was given to remind the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt and from the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. And so they acclaimed Jesus as the One who would deliver them from the cruel occupation of the Romans. He had come to save them from their enemies, “Hosanna” they cried, “Save us.” And that cry took them all the way to the horns of the altar, in other words, to the place of sacrifice. The Psalmist and the Palm Sunday crowds could not have realised how prophetic their words were to be!

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