JANUARY 22 - Divine Singing

JANUARY 22 - Divine Singing

 

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. — MATTHEW 26:30

 

Whether I’m wheeling through the office, driving down the freeway, or puttering in the backyard, I love to sing. My heart wants to sing whenever I’m enjoying the routines of life. But have you ever wondered if Jesus sang? It’s easy to picture him humming a melody as he walked up the road from Jericho to Jerusalem. We know they sang in the synagogues. During the holy feast days, Jesus’ family probably sang. There must have been many times that Jesus’ heart filled with joy and he let loose with a song. So . . . where in the Bible does it say that he sang?

 

The only place it records such a time is in Matthew 26:30. The scene for the song is not on a sunny hillside . . . it’s not as he sailed with his disciples in the boat . . . and it’s not as he walked along the beach with his friends. It was in the upper room the night that Jesus was betrayed. After he broke the bread and offered wine, they sang a hymn and then went out to the Mount of Olives. Of all the times and places, the Lord Jesus chose to have us remember him singing as he was led off to his death.

 

This speaks to me in my wheelchair. It shows me how to follow the Lord in song when my heart is heavy, when I’m facing disappointment, or when my back aches. As we follow his steps up to the Mount of Olives, into the garden of Gethsemane, and down the road to Calvary, we take up our cross and sing.

 

Our natural inclination is not to sing when we are sad or hurting. Yet think of the apostle Paul who sang, despite his chains in jail (Acts 16:25). No matter if your emotions are up or down, follow the Lord’s lead today and ask God to put a song in your heart.

 

In my heart there rings a melody of love, dear Jesus. You are my song today and every day. Please keep tuning my heart to sing your praises.