We Sing as One
He looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:35).
Scripture: Mark 3:31-35
Song: “As We Gather at Your Table”
On a trip to Jerusalem, I spent one Sunday morning in St. Anne’s Church in the Old City. A tour group can become a stressful place after several days, especially for an introvert. I needed some time to myself.
So I was alone that morning as I sat in the beautiful stone church with its massive columns, high ceiling, and wonderful acoustics. As I sat quietly off to the side, tour group after tour group of Christians came into the church. Each group would hear the guide talk about the awesome structure. They would pray together, and each group would then sing a hymn, usually a cappella and in unison.
It was beautiful to hear their voices echo off the stone. I heard a group of Brazilian believers singing in Portuguese a tune I had heard before. I heard a German group sing a hymn I simply didn’t know.
Then a Chinese group sang a hymn with a familiar tune that I couldn’t recognize at first. But slowly it dawned on me that they were singing “Blessed Assurance.” Quietly, off to the side, I joined in the singing in English. For those few moments that morning, at least, I was reminded that whenever people gather in the name of Jesus, we are one with Him and one with each other.
God, all the world is Yours, and all who dwell in it are Your creation. Help me, O Lord, to remember that we are called as Christians to be brothers and sisters with one another. No matter what may divide us, what unites us is greater still. In Christ, amen.