Read: Matthew 26:26-50
Matthew 26:30 – When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus worshipped God the Father in His darkest moments. Can you?
Jesus had just had the Passover meal with His disciples. And the Bible says, Jesus, sung a hymn before He went to Mount of Olives, on His way to Gethsemane, and finally the cross. We don’t often think of Jesus singing. But He did. Jesus lifted His voice in adoration and worship to God the Father. “These words, interpreted by a reverent imagination, present one of the most wonderful pictures… They sing, and it is impossible to doubt that He led the singing.” (Morgan). What a beautiful thought and a powerful example of what God wants of us – to praise Him with singing.
A Passover meal always ended with singing three psalms known as the Hallel, Psalm 116-118, and are part of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalm 113-118). Hallel means praise. “When Jesus arose to go to Gethsemane, Psalm 118 was upon his lips. It provided an appropriate description of how God would guide his Messiah through distress and suffering to glory.” (Lane)
Jesus sang the night before His crucifixion. “If, beloved, you knew that at–say, ten o’clock tonight, you would be led away to be mocked, and despised, and scourged, and that tomorrow’s sun would see you falsely accused, hanging, a convicted criminal, to die upon a cross, do you think that you could sing tonight, after your last meal?” (Spurgeon). Not easy by any yardstick, but we can by God’s grace. Would you ask God to give you a heart of worship through suffering, to sing with the hymnwriter it is well with my soul?
Ponder
- What is your usual response when facing difficult circumstances or trials?
- What role does worship play in your own spiritual life and relationship with God?
- Are there any specific songs or hymns that hold special meaning for you and help you connect with God in a deeper way?
Scripture Writing: Habakkuk 3:17-19
Song: When Peace Like A River