May 2017 Communion Meditation

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is the reason we come to church, because Christ is the reason there is a church. If there were no sacrifice for our sins, we would be lost in our sin, aimlessly wandering about in spiritual stupor, darkness, and death. But because there is a sacrifice for sins, we are found by the gift of God, not aimlessly wandering but alive and united, walking together in light and life (Ephesians 2:1-10). And as we contemplate Christ’s sacrifice for us this Sunday, it seemed good to lead us to think together about a psalm which praises the beauty of unity under the one true and living God. Consider Psalm 133:

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

[1] Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
[2] It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
[3] It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the LORD has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore. (ESV)

This psalm is short and to the point. It sings the praises of unity between brothers (and sisters). It concisely compares the goodness and pleasantness of unity to the goodness and pleasantness of precious oil running down the beard and robes of Aaron (the high priest; cf. Exodus 29:1-9) and to the dew of Hermon falling on Mount Zion. “Life evermore” is found there because that is where the temple is, which is where Yahweh’s glory dwelt.

The thrust of the psalm is clear: brothers dwelling in unity is both good and pleasant. Notice that there is an objective as well as a subjective aspect here. It is objectively good for brothers to dwell in unity. Not only that, it is also subjectively pleasant.

It is possible for something to be good but not pleasant, just as it is possible for something to be pleasant but not good. Yet here we have both. Surely this is something worth working for!

And indeed, it is. There are few things so worth the time and effort as working toward real and true unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet no doubt there are schisms between some of you, anything from minor tiffs to full-blown conflicts. What would the Holy Spirit have you do in response to this psalm?

It is true that there will always be differences between people, at least until we are brought to glory in the new Heavens and Earth. There, all conflict will be a thing of the past, washed away by the blood which spilled from Christ’s veins on the cross. And we will finally see our God with an unobstructed view.

But often, too often, we push things that really need to be dealt with now to eternity. We say “they’re too different from me,” or “they’ll never change.” Brothers and sisters, that is a theology that leaves out the work of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:16)! What, will we settle for merely putting up with each other? Far be it from us! How can we who are never let go of by Christ be separated from brothers and sisters in our own body?

So I ask you, do you think that the Spirit will bless your growth in Christ in isolation from the brothers and sisters with whom that same Christ has placed you?

Part of the point of celebrating communion is to celebrate our unity in Christ, whose sacrifice made it possible in the first place. As we approach this Sunday, I exhort you, don’t just “put up with” your brothers and sisters in the church. That is neither good nor pleasant. Instead, seek reconciliation and restoration in bold humility. May this psalm be something you resonate with because of the work of the Holy Spirit, and not a far-off ideal you deem impossible in your own flesh. Until Sunday!