Day 107: Matthew 26:26–30

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives (v. 30).

Tens of thousands of Jews celebrated the Passover that year in Jerusalem. For many, the year’s observance was indistinct from the last. They had no idea that nearby the Lamb of God lifted the cup of redemption and offered it to all.

In the upper room the disciples’ stomachs were full, their recollections rekindled, and their feet washed by the Son of man. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love” (John 13:1). The One who created time submitted Himself to it. In the same perfect order that the heavens and the earth were created, salvation’s story must unfold like a book already written . . . penned before the foundation of the world. The Spirit of God blew the next page open to the chapter called “Agony.” The garden awaited.

“When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Matt. 26:30). Jesus singing! How I would love to hear that sound. When He sang, did the angels of heaven hush to His voice? Or did they cease their song and join in His? Did He sing tenor? Bass? Did Christ and His disciples sing in harmony, or did they all sing the melody? Did Jesus sing often, or was this a moment of rarity?

How fitting that on this very night Christ, the coming King, would give voice to songs penned centuries earlier just for Him. Traditionally, every Seder or Passover celebration ended with the latter half of the Hallel, Psalms 115–118. Very likely Christ and His disciples sang from these psalms. Imagine the Son of God singing these words as the seconds ticked toward the cross.

Whatever Christ sang as the Passover meal concluded that night, the words had significance for Him that the others could never have comprehended. I wonder if His voice quivered with emotion? Or did He sing with exultation? Perhaps He did both, just as you and I have done at terribly bittersweet moments when our faith exults while our sight weeps. One thing we know: Christ, above all others, knew that He was singing more than words. That night He sang the score of His destiny.