The Song that Will Blow You Away & Change How You See Everything
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At a table with shiny olive oil spills, amid scattered bread crumbs and wrinkled Mediterranean olives, they would have pushed back their wine cups and straightened to sing.
And we’ve all had that — a moment when familiar lyrics suddenly have deeper personal meaning to us, and it leaves us breathless.
I can imagine it in his voice, choked up at times as the words speak the tumult in his heart. An annual tradition, it was always this song after the sacred feast, and Jewish people everywhere were singing it tonight. But this evening, the words shook him, expressing his own feelings and thoughts so clearly: the fear and angst, the jubilation and determination, and the wild purpose of it all.
Tucked into a familiar Bible passage about the Last Supper of Jesus, we read that Jesus and his disciples, upon finishing the Passover meal, sang a hymn and then left for the Garden of Gethsemane.
This was the night that had been culminating for the past thirty years or so. The week where he wept over Jerusalem, saying, “If only you had known what would bring you peace!” This was the night where his friend Judas would betray him to death row, and to unimaginable pain. This was the day that had been in the works for millennia.
Tiny study notes at the bottom of my page reveal that the hymn they sang was Psalm 115-118. Turning to that section, I read it, was blown away, and alternated between crying in my kitchen and yelling, “Wow, God! Wow!”
Where could we turn in our next hard stage? Where do you go when life is hard? What helps you when you’re worried, afraid, and in pain? What gives you purpose?
Picture Jesus at the table, just hours before his death, saying these words in a husky choked up voice.
(This is so worth it. Take a minute or two with the above link, and read those verses aloud, or consider clicking the audio link there and letting his words wash over you.)
Can you imagine him singing this that night? Can you imagine?!
Wow! Wow.
(and linking, always linking with Ann at A Holy Experience to count gifts. This…)
"If only you had known what would bring you peace!" – And He's saying those words to us today.
Wow is right! Sacrifice indeed!!! I hadn't heard this before, that's awesome. I gotta study this! Thanks, sister.
Great post, I really enjoyed it. Thanks Jennifer!
Glenda
"I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people."
WOW! Can you imagine what was going through His mind when He sang these words? And the trust He put in His Father as He sang about His mercy!WOW!!
Hello, I found your blog through another blog 🙂
Thanks for sharing this, Jennifer. I've never read that passage before in the context of Jesus singing it the night before his crucifixion. Amazing.
(By the way, I emailed you a request yesterday to use one of your posts in my next Life Notes issue. Not sure how often you check that email address so thought I would mention it here, too. Will look forward to hearing from you!)
Mills Grandparents,
Yes! Can't you just picture him saying that? To them, to us.
Nice to talk with you again, 🙂
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Floyd,
Isn't it exciting!? It has been my thrill passage for the week, and one I want to tell everyone about.
Thanks,
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Glenda,
Nice to talk with you again! 🙂 Thanks for stopping in.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Yes, Jayne, yes! Isn't that exciting? That was one of my favorites. I also really liked the verses about "This is the day that the Lord has made" and him talking about being the "gate to righteousness." Plus so many other powerful verses and in there, when spoken by him that night. Phew.
Thanks for exclaiming with me.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Renee,
Welcome! And what fun decorative swirls beside your name here. I'm happy to "meet" you, and have you join us here.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Renee,
I couldn't access your blog. Is there one you have open to bloggers?
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Cheryl,
Isn't it exciting?! It really adds to the account of the night of his death, as well as helping me when I go through harder times too.
Yes, I am emailing you this afternoon. Sorry, we've been hit with illness and I'm just not getting to my emails. That is the perfect email address though and I check it daily. Thanks.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
I have a question. You said "Tucked into a familiar Bible passage about the Last Supper of Jesus, we read that Jesus and his disciples, upon finishing the Passover meal, sang a hymn and then left for the Garden of Gethsemane." Which gospel did you find it in? I want to do a lesson with our women's group on this.