The way Jesus opened the Scriptures to the disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24) has often been considered the preeminent Bible study of all time. While many of us would love to have the content from that day, the truth is that more than likely, we have the fruit of it. Throughout the New Testament, the authors model what it looks like to understand a faithful hermeneutic of interpreting Christ in all the Scriptures. In short, the disciples learned it from Jesus and taught it through their writings. One recent example of this that I enjoyed was in John’s Gospel.
John 10-11
John 10 is one of Jesus’ most beautiful sermons/teachings. In contrast to the selfish shepherds of Ezekiel 34, he explains that he is the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:11). After this sermon, Jesus travels to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication, to make absolutely clear that he is the Messiah. As often happens in his life, the religious leaders throw a fit and continue their plan to kill him. While their hatred overflows from their murderous hearts, many believe in Jesus (John 10:42).
Psalm 118 in John 10
I imagine that the disciples were greatly changed as Jesus opened up the Scriptures to them. I also believe that they found themselves immersed in the Scriptures, better understanding and contemplating how Jesus was the fulfillment of them. One piece of evidence of this is John’s use of Psalm 118 in John 10 and 11. When I teach on the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, I frequently remind people that when a verse is quoted or alluded to, the NT author has that entire chapter/context in mind.
In John 10, you can tell that John is writing with Psalm 118 flowing out of his mind and heart. As he recounted Jesus’ good shepherd sermon, he alludes to Psalm 118:19-21 in both John 10:7 and 10:9:
“Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.” -Psalm 118:19-21
“So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.‘” -John 10:7
“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” -John 10:9
John sees Jesus’ statement about being the door to salvation and communion with God as a fulfillment of the Psalmist’s prayer. The Psalmist’s longing for the gates of righteousness to be opened was satisfied by the Good Shepherd who laid down his life to open the way of his people to find righteousness, life, and salvation in him.
Later, in John 10:24, when Jesus travels to the Feast of Dedication, John interprets that scene through Psalm 118 as well:
“All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!” -Psalm 118:10
“So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.‘” -John 10:24
The way the Psalmist was praying was an imprecatory type of cry, calling covenant curses down on the foolish, unbelieving nations. John sees Jesus being surrounded by the religious leaders as a fulfillment of Psalm 118:10 about the unbelieving nations.
The Interpretive Key of Psalm 118:22
Imagine being John when he was following Jesus around for 3 years. Witnessing all these miracles, sermons, and even persecution. I imagine that it was hard to reconcile all those things Jesus did with that day when his beloved Master was hung upon the cross. How confusing it must have been to watch him suffer and die…even though Jesus told all the disciples that would happen.
However, as confusing as it must have been on that dark day on Golgotha, John’s Gospel tells us that it all made sense to him eventually. One of the disciples’ favorite Old Testament texts about Jesus and his suffering was Psalm 118:22:
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.“
Not only is this used over and over in the New Testament, but Matthew quotes it (Matt. 21:42) directly to make clear that the crucifixion of Jesus, that seemingly horrendous event, would become the cornerstone, or foundation, for all followers of Jesus. In fact, Matthew quotes Psalm 118:23 as well, which reads:
“This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.“
Why This Matters?
The crucifixion of the Good Shepherd exposed the foolishness of the unbelieving nations. What some saw as a curse, followers of Jesus find it to be none other than the plan of God that is marvelous in our eyes. Jesus came to this world, not carrying a sceptre, but a cross. That cross was the gate to salvation. As a response, we marvel at what he has done, joyfully carrying our own cross (Luke 9:23-24) as co-heirs with King Jesus. And when we are rejected, we are fellowshipping with the one who laid down his life and took it back up for us.
Old Testament Allusions 