My Singing Savior

Recently, I had the privilege of singing at a Christian Men’s Event.  I was really intimated and nervous, but turned out to be one of my most memorable singing experiences of my life. God showed up, showed out and was truly there in a tangible way.  As I sang “How Great Thou Art,” just as I got to the lyrics, ” I hear the rolling thunder,” just at that very moment God sent the most beautiful, gentle rolling thunder in the distance.  I will never forget the smiles of amazement and the worship that took place.   Before the song was over, the men were singing along- all on their feet worshiping our GREAT GOD with adoration!  My knees grew so weak, I could hardly stand- I knew I was experiencing a Sacred Moment, standing on Holy Ground!  With that cherished memory forever imprinted on my mind, I can’t help but wonder what it was like at the Last Supper- talk about a sacred evening!  Jesus had washed the feet of His disciples, explained the New Covenant and instituted The Lord’s Supper.  I have to say, in light of my experience, I would give anything to see what happened next.  I’m trusting God has this historic scene on dvd ready for me to check out when I get to heaven! :-)  Matthew 26: 30 tells us, “After SINGING A HYMN, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Hmmmmm…..Slowly- “After singing a hymn”… “After SINGING a hymn”… “After singing a HYMN?”  First of all, a group of men singing- Powerful!  But- JESUS singing?  WoW!  I’m a singer- I can’t help but wonder- what was His voice like?  Was He a low, mellow bass?  Could He sing tenor and sound like a girl?  Was He a strong lead, or blend in as smooth baritone?  Hmmm… His voice did calm the raging sea…and raise Lazarus from the dead…. Hmm… But, scripture does say there was nothing about his appearance that drew attention to himself- maybe his voice was very human- Hmmm.. did he struggle with tone, pitch?  Was His voice raspy and crackle-ly? I don’t know…  but I do know- they sang.  The word “singing” was translated as the same word describing Paul and Silas singing in prison. 

Hmm.. “After singing a HYMN, they…”  What hymn?  A hymn to me is “Amazing Grace,” obviously they didn’t sing that!  What hymn?  No one can honestly say for sure- only God and the disciples were in the Upper Room that night, but I can pass along what Biblical Scholars speculate.  The book of Psalms was the official hymnbook in that day.  Most- if not all Psalms were set to music and sung in worship, as they traveled to festivals, meal times and as they worked in the fields.  Psalms 113-118 and 136 are called the “Hallel” or hymns of praise.  Many scholars explain, the Psalms/hymns are broken up and sang at different times during Passover.  Traditionally, Psalms 113-114 were sung before the Passover Meal, the rest were sung in sections and at the end.

No one truly knows, but I can’t imagine Jesus not keeping the traditional customs of the Passover.  I had to go read those passages and will share some of those verses.  Psalm 116:1-4-  ” I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications.  Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon him as long as I live.  The cords of death encompassed me, and the terrors of Sheol came upon me:  I found distress and sorrow.  Then I called upon the name of the Lord.  ‘O Lord, I beseech Thee, save my life!’  Vs. 9-15-  “I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living.  I believed when I said, I am greatly afflicted.  I said in my alarm, all men are liars.  What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?  I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.  I shall pay my vows to the Lord, oh may it be in the presence of all His people.  Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.”  Psalm 118:1-  “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good;For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Vs 6-8-  “The Lord is for me;I will not fear;  What can man do to me?  The Lord is for me among those who help me; therefore I shall look with satisfaction on those who hate me.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.”  Vs.  14-  “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”  Vs. 17- ” I shall not die, but live and tell of the works of the Lord.”  Vs 20-24  “This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous will enter through it.  I shall give thanks to thee, for Thou hast answered me:  And Thou hast become my salvation.  The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.  This is the Lord’s doing:  It is marvelous in our eyes.  THIS IS THE DAY WHICH THE LORD HAS MADE; LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.”  Vs 27-29-  “The Lord is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.  Thou art my God, I extol Thee.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;  For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 

Again, I don’t know Jesus sang those exact words, but I do know He SANG!  Jesus could sing knowing that in a few hours following, he would be spat upon, mocked and shamed.  He sang knowing His beard would be ripped from his cheeks and chin.  I whine when I get my eyebrows waxed!  Jesus sang knowing He would be stripped of His garments and a crown of sharp thorns would be forced down on His head.  I can’t take a splinter under my skin!  Jesus sang knowing He would be beaten unmercifully with an inch of His life.  Until seeing “The Passion of the Christ,” I didn’t realize that not only did Jesus sustain injuries causing His blood to pour, but His skin was literally shredded causing His blood to spray out as well- and I hate paper cuts!  Jesus sang knowing his arms would be stretched out, dislocating his shoulders-breaking his tendons as spikes would be driven through His wrists.  Jesus sang knowing a huge spike would be driven through both of His feet.  I can’t imagine- I hate to stub my toe!  Jesus could sing knowing he would hang on a rough cross, gasping for breath- in severe physical and emotional pain.  How did he do it?  How could He sing?  Probably the same way He endured the cross.  Hebrews tells us, He kept His eyes on the reward that was to come.

Jesus sang.  How often do we say- or think- “I’m not in the mood to sing?”  How about- ” I have nothing to sing about.” Maybe- “I just don’t feel like singing.”  Jesus sang-  Maybe with His eyes closed and arms lifted.  Maybe choking back tears.  Maybe- with great joy and enthusiasm.  I don’t know- but I do know Jesus sang, now what is my excuse?  What is yours?

May God bless you and keep you- and may you sing to the Lord a new song- for He is good!