Dear West Family

“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” - Matt 26:30

One of the (many) weird things about working in a church is that you can land up being poorly situated to experience the blessings of the community that you work hard (well, hopefully hard) to provide for others. One of the acute ways that this is felt is that church staff aren’t usually able to participate fully in worship services. While our communal singing is taking place, my phone is usually lighting up with messages like  …

“Is it hot in here?” … Yup.
“Is it cold in here?” … Yup, now that you mention it, mysteriously, it also is cold, and also quite hot.
“Man it’s loud today.” … What? Can’t hear you.
“I really don’t like it when we sing this song.” … Uh, okay, noted?
“Who is preaching today?” … Be at peace, it’s Halim.

Or the most worship killing, dread inducing …
“Can we chat after the service about some things I have noticed about the church?”

All of that to say, it can be difficult for those who lead in the church to actually disconnect from the distractions of the world and to enjoy the reminders of God’s reality that worship services are designed to provide. Because of that, we take time during the week to serve our staff with meetings we call “Team Renew.” They are opportunities for our staff team to enjoy worship, Word, and community in an unhurried manner when they aren’t “on the clock” or expected to “run the show.” They are some of my favorite times. 

This last week we had a friend from Houston, Robbie Seay, come lead worship for our team. It was remarkably impactful for many of us, myself included. Robbie simply led us through a well thought through liturgy of worship, but the Lord used it to remind me of a remarkable truth that I am using to prepare me for Holy Week. Robbie noted that the Psalms of Hallel (Psalms 113 to 118) were the Psalms that were recited or sung at the Passover Seder. This was not new knowledge for me, and in fact I taught on it just a few weeks ago, but for some reason it stirred me afresh as I re-read Psalm 118 and considered that these words of praise were on Jesus’ lips moments before He left for Gethsemane. Go read it, and then consider with me the song of Jesus on the way to the garden.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!  (v1)

On the lips of Jesus on the way to His greatest trial.

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. 
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. (v 5-7)

In the mind of Christ on the way to crucifixion.

14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. 
15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: (v 14-15)

The song that Jesus sings before going to make that salvation possible through His sacrifice.

17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. 
18 The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. 

Spoken by Christ on His way to die so that these verses could be true for others.

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 
23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. (v 22-23)

Recited by Christ in the moments before that very rejection became reality.

24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (v 24)

For the joy that was set before Him, Oh the joy of Christ in the midst of despair.

29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!  (v 29)

On the lips of our King before He goes to display that love!

Oh friends, as you prepare for Holy Week, it is helpful to remember how Christ Himself prepared for Gethsemane. I can tend to believe that Jesus went to the cross with curses on His lips and frustration in His heart, but nothing could be further from the truth. Though His anguish was indescribable, and His agony unlike any before or since, what came from His mouth was praise for His Father in the form of a song of faith. A song about what is true of God in the midst of deep suffering. A song still true for us today.

What song will you sing this Holy Week? What will be the foremost thought on your mind? You know what I want it to be for me?

29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!  (v 29)

The song this week is simply the one above. I hope you enjoy.

Psalm 118 (Your Steadfast Love)

See you Sunday,
Ross