THE LORD JESUS SANG ON THE NIGHT OF HIS BETRAYAL
The night Jesus was betrayed to be crucified, He joined His disciples in singing a hymn before going up to the Mount of Olives to pray and await His betrayer. What hymn did they sing? The traditional Passover hymns were the “Hallel” (“praise”) psalms found in Psalms 113-118. As the Rabbi, Jesus would have led the hymn, no doubt from memory. Perhaps He led them singing . . .
“Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! (Psa. 113:1)… When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language (Psa. 114:1)… The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul! (Psa. 116:3-4)… Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Psa. 118:5-6)… Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psa.118:29).
I wonder, did His voice break with emotion as He sang? Did the disciples feel the heaviness of the Spirit blanket the upper room during their singing? Did the heavenly choir of angels grow silent to hear their Lord’s sonorous voice? Listen all creation! The Lord Jesus is singing on the night of His betrayal!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, teach us to sing through suffering and sorrow as You did. For the joy of the Lord is our strength. Sing with us and through us by Your Spirit, O Lord. For our voices sometimes tremble with overwhelming grief. Yet, we are not overwhelmed. For You are always with us. Sing Lord Jesus. Sing as our mothers and fathers did to put us to sleep at bedtime. Sing to us, Dear Savior and Friend. In Jesus’ name, Amen.