Jesus and disciples sang

We are in the season of Lent - a 40-day period of fasting and prayer. It is the annual period of Christian observance that precedes Easter. The dates of Lent are defined by the date of Easter, which is a movable feast.

We hear sermons on Jesus praying, teaching, preaching, healing, but we do not normally hear of Jesus singing. Yet, the Bible states clearly that Jesus and his disciples after the Last Supper sang. "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Matthew 26:30  Mark 14:26.

The hymns or songs would be the Psalms 113-118 - psalms of joy, praise, thanksgiving, of affirmation of faith in God's goodness.

Death was coming, the hour was near. Soon He would be going to Gethsemane to pray and agonise. Soon He would be betrayed by one of His disciples; be arrested, tortured and crucified like a common criminal.

What about the disciples? They joined Jesus in the singing to praise God. Then they moved on to into the Mount of Olives.

Paul and Silas sang in Acts 16:25. 1 Corinthians 14:15 talks about singing with the spirit and singing with the mind. Hebrews 2:12 tells us about singing in the church. James 5:3 says to let the joyful sing, let the sorrowful pray "among you" (in church). Revelation 15:3 describes singing in heaven.

Move to 1913 and think of the sinking of the Titanic. The great ship struck an iceberg and as it was sinking the band started to play "Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee."  What an appropriate hymn for such a hour. The  strains of the music continued till they were silenced by the icy waters. Such courage could only be inspired by those who had hope in Christ.

Thank God death is not the end for the believer. There is Hope of the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57New International Version (NIV)

 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ