Scripture and song are important parts of our devotional expression. They focus our thoughts and convey our feelings. We enjoy especially reading biblical passages we know almost by heart or singing old hymns. We do not have to struggle to understand them—we have already done that—we can simply confirm their message. The familiar gives us a sense of comfort and continuity. It brings order, even if only briefly, when everything else around us seems in chaos. Liturgy reminds us that some things do not change, that it is good they do not. Familiar forms give us an opportunity to take stock of our situation and help us to pull some of the disparate elements of life back together. So it was for Jesus and the disciples prior to his arrest, for we read in....
Matt 26:30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
The feast days of Israel serve this same purpose. Passover, for example, recalls the people's slavery in Egypt and God's miraculous deliverance. Every year on the same day, they gather to rehearse the wonder of that moment in history. To help in this review, God commanded the people to include in their celebration a retelling of the exodus and reference to certain symbols of the exodus. The specifics of implementing these instructions—how the Israelites would tell the story, what other foods they could eat, the additional customs they might develop to enhance the commemoration—these He left to them.
As time passed, certain practices became common-place, such as the four cups of wine and the ceremonial hand washings, so no matter where God's people might be—in the land of Israel or in the Diaspora—no matter what their condition—free from outside interference or under foreign rule—the regularity of this religious observance, conducted year after year in much the same way, reminded them that the great God they serve does not change and that His commitment to them abides forever.
In Jesus' day, the Passover seder (service) included chanting a section of the Psalter entitled the Hallel, so named because the same call to worship appears several times: Hallelujah! This collection, Pss 113-118, extols the greatness of God and His compassion for Israel and is particularly suited to the celebration of God's deliverance. The melodies varied from community to community, but they were common tunes learned from childhood that linked participants with seders past.
In Matt 26, we read how Jesus and the disciples observed the feast as they had done numerous times before. The order was a familiar one. It began with an explanation of the various elements—the unleavened bread, the bitter herbs, the paschal lamb. There was the haggadah or "telling" of the exodus story, singing the first part of the Hallel, and drinking two cups of wine. Then they reached the main event: the meal. Afterward, they recited the grace, had two more cups of wine, and sang the rest of the Hallel. It was an enjoyable evening of food and fellowship.
On this particular occasion, though, Jesus seemed preoccupied, and there were odd moments. The ceremonial washing of hands was a normal part of the seder, but the ceremonial washing of feet he performed was not. That the unleavened bread and third cup of wine somehow symbolized Jesus' body and blood was certainly among the strangest things he had said. There were also some disconcerting moments. Jesus talked about betrayal, but it was not clear what or who he had in mind. Did it have something to do with Peter, whom Jesus said would deny him? Did it include everyone, for Jesus said they would all abandon him? His speech about going away and about this Passover being his last with them was particularly unnerving, as were those repeated allusions to his death. If the disciples found the evening disturbing, how must Jesus have felt, knowing what lay ahead?
Nevertheless, in keeping with the liturgy of the feast, they concluded that seder as they had others, by singing the Great Hallel, Ps 136 which, unlike the rest in this series, is not a hymn of praise but A Hymn of Thanksgiving.
Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
The psalmist goes on to describe God's work in delivering Israel from Egypt, in preserving Israel through the wilderness, in giving Israel the land of Canaan, and in caring for Israel over the years. After each statement, the author repeats the refrain—"His love endures forever"—twenty-six times in as many verses. Why include such a repetitive poem in a repeatable service? The rabbis do not give a reason, but it is probably because the antiphonal arrangement is easy to sing, as members of the group alternate, back and forth. It also stresses the underlying theme of the exodus and of all God's activity for His people—His unchanging love. It is appropriate, therefore, that Jesus and the disciples, along with other Jews that night, conclude their Passover celebration with the Great Hallel, and....
Matt 26:30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Singing this psalm, though, did not change anything. Judas still betrayed Jesus. The disciples still abandoned Jesus. Peter still denied Jesus. Jesus still died.... But the story did not end there either, and that is really what the hymn is about. God does not necessarily eliminate Israel's problems. The people suffered greatly in Egypt. They were terrified when trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army. They had to fight their way through the wilderness and into the land of Canaan. God does not necessarily eliminate Israel's problems. Instead, He uses those problems to teach His people a valuable lesson, one they (and we) can apply no matter what the situation, that His love is constant, as He has demonstrated time and again. We may not see it when circumstances do not meet with our satisfaction or expectations, but in reality this divine attribute permeates and ties together all He does on our behalf. Moreover, the story of His work in us is not over, for as we encounter new challenges, new threats to our well-being, God's love will be right there with us, over-ruling all things "for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28), because, as the psalm states, "His love endures forever."
As the disciples face an uncertain future and as Jesus faces the imminence of death, A Hymn of Thanksgiving serves to remind them that some things do not change, and that it is good they do not. God has been at work since the beginning. He has repeatedly acted for the welfare of His people and, no matter what happens, underlying all He does is the rock-solid, immovable, ever-constant attribute of His love. For Jesus and the disciples, and for us, the Great Hallel of the Passover liturgy helps to pull together some of the disparate elements of life and to face the future, however uncertain it may be, just as they did....
Matt 26:30 When they had sung a hymn [and] went out to the Mount of Olives.
For the Endnotes see the pdf here.
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Jim Skaggs