Each Wednesday, as we move through this Lenten season in anticipation of Easter, we will be studying excerpts from the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120–134). Traditionally, these psalms were sung by the people of God as they traveled from villages throughout Israel to gather for the annual festivals of worship in Jerusalem, the capital city where the Temple stood. Because the city was set on a mountain, the journey required a literal ascent. Yet this “going up” was more than geographic—it symbolized drawing near to God.
As Christians, these psalms take on even greater significance as we look forward to the hope of the heavenly Jerusalem, which Jesus will establish when he returns (Revelation 21:2). As we journey upward toward the fulfillment of that promise, we – the Church – serve as a foretaste of that coming city (Hebrews 12:22-23). Even now, we are being built together as a living temple where God dwells by his Spirit, a gathered people anticipating our final home (Ephesians 2:22).
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How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
– Psalm 133
The unity of God’s people is both “good” and “pleasant” – it is both beautiful and beneficial. Psalm 133 shows us that unity is both a lavish gift and a life-giving necessity.
During this Holy Week, let us remember the great cost of our union with God – and with one another – the life of Jesus. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “… God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
While our sin had alienated us from God, Jesus went all the way to reconcile us to God. We did not meet him halfway. Our unity with him and with one another was entirely dependent on him taking all of our sin upon himself.
This grace of God is extravagant and wondrous which wins us our union with God. And we celebrate and praise him for the beauty and benefits therein. If that’s how Christ has treated us, the question remains: is our own grace as extravagant toward our brothers and sisters?
When we feel wronged, we want others to meet us halfway. We want others to “do their part” to make our losses in relationships whole. But Christ did it all for us.
And he calls us to do the same.
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Questions for reflection and prayer
Spend some time thanking the Lord for the forgiveness of your sin. Acknowledge the lengths to which Jesus went to reconcile us to God so we might enjoy union with him forevermore.
Ask the Lord to lead you to be a reconciler in his church. It starts within our own families and friend groups, and moves out into our communities from there. Consider: where are you waiting on someone else “to meet you halfway” and to “do their part” to bring about unity? Perhaps the most Christlike thing we can do is go all the way ourselves to pursue reconciliation, just as Christ did. Ask God what that might look like for you in practice.
Finally, let’s continue to pray for God’s provision for our church family as we step into this season of “40 Days in the Wilderness”. Just as the Lord faithfully led his people into the land of promise, we trust him to lead us as well.