And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives (Matt 26:30).
This verse intrigues me. It's often said that "music soothes the soul," and I have certainly found this to be true in my own life. When all is chaos around me, music (and singing in particular) makes me feel much better. Somehow it makes whatever trying situation I'm dealing with seem not quite so overwhelming. Interestingly, I read not too long ago that hospitals all over the US are trying out music therapy on patients suffering from such things as brain disorders, heart problems, and cancer, and are discovering it's helping speed up recovery time.
And here in Matthew we find Jesus and His eleven apostles singing a hymn before going out to the Mount of Olives.
This is especially interesting because Matthew 26 is full of crises. The chief priests and elders are plotting to kill Jesus in the first few verses. Jesus is "anointed for burial" in verses 6-13. Judas betrays Him in verses 14-16. And Jesus foretells that His time is near in verses 17-29. It is after all this that they sing a hymn.
Sometimes I wonder what the words to that hymn might have been, but God has seen fit to keep them from us for now. Scripture has many great poetic expressions — the Song of Moses, the beautiful Magnificat, all the Psalms and many other poems. Perhaps the words were from one of these? But whatever the case, the hymn they sang that night was evidently a well-known song, one in which they could all join. I can almost imagine our Lord saying, "Before we leave, let's sing...", can't you?
One thing for sure, our Lord and His apostles did not leave the Upper Room weeping and mourning. Though His soul had been deeply troubled as He approached the dreadful hour of His suffering and death, He could say: "What shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'"? But for this purpose I came to this hour (Jn 12:27). And though deeply saddened by Judas' base betrayal, His words of comfort and cheer during these last hours were crowned with the singing of a hymn — a song of praise. Amazing!
So even though the words of that hymn are yet unknown to us, the lesson of its singing should not be lost. Music, in and of itself, can lessen our anxieties. But as believers we can make even greater use of its soothing effects by choosing music that praises Him for who He is and all He's done for us, and that reminds us that our "momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison" (2 Cor 4:17).
This verse intrigues me. It's often said that "music soothes the soul," and I have certainly found this to be true in my own life. When all is chaos around me, music (and singing in particular) makes me feel much better. Somehow it makes whatever trying situation I'm dealing with seem not quite so overwhelming. Interestingly, I read not too long ago that hospitals all over the US are trying out music therapy on patients suffering from such things as brain disorders, heart problems, and cancer, and are discovering it's helping speed up recovery time.
And here in Matthew we find Jesus and His eleven apostles singing a hymn before going out to the Mount of Olives.
This is especially interesting because Matthew 26 is full of crises. The chief priests and elders are plotting to kill Jesus in the first few verses. Jesus is "anointed for burial" in verses 6-13. Judas betrays Him in verses 14-16. And Jesus foretells that His time is near in verses 17-29. It is after all this that they sing a hymn.
Sometimes I wonder what the words to that hymn might have been, but God has seen fit to keep them from us for now. Scripture has many great poetic expressions — the Song of Moses, the beautiful Magnificat, all the Psalms and many other poems. Perhaps the words were from one of these? But whatever the case, the hymn they sang that night was evidently a well-known song, one in which they could all join. I can almost imagine our Lord saying, "Before we leave, let's sing...", can't you?
One thing for sure, our Lord and His apostles did not leave the Upper Room weeping and mourning. Though His soul had been deeply troubled as He approached the dreadful hour of His suffering and death, He could say: "What shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'"? But for this purpose I came to this hour (Jn 12:27). And though deeply saddened by Judas' base betrayal, His words of comfort and cheer during these last hours were crowned with the singing of a hymn — a song of praise. Amazing!
So even though the words of that hymn are yet unknown to us, the lesson of its singing should not be lost. Music, in and of itself, can lessen our anxieties. But as believers we can make even greater use of its soothing effects by choosing music that praises Him for who He is and all He's done for us, and that reminds us that our "momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison" (2 Cor 4:17).
No comments:
Post a Comment