Psalm 133: 1-3
There is a popular Tagalog saying, “ Ang sakit ng kalingkingan ramdam ng buong katawan. Ngunit ang ginhawa ng katawan ay ginhawang pangkalahatan.” The human body works well if all of its parts functions well. But if one part is not well, even the smallest part, the whole body will be affected. This is so to a brotherhood, if all members will cooperate and do their part then this brotherhood will be successful in reaching out their goals. Not only that, this brotherhood will also have a good partnership with other brotherhoods aiming for the same goal. In 1984, there was a great famine in Ethiopia. The wealthy and powerful during that time did nothing to help. It was a lowly and a struggling punk musician by the name of Bob Geldof who took the initiative to give Ethiopia a fighting chance. He composed the song “ Do They Know It’s Christmas” and asked other popular musicians of Europe to record it for the purpose of raising an amount to help Ethiopia. Many answered his call including Sting, Bono and Phil Collins, the group of the gathered musicians was then named “Band Aid”. The sales of the single had reached a surmountable amount to aid Ethiopians in their starvation. The song also informed the world about the situation in Africa. The following year, a live Band Aid concert was held to help those who were suffering famine in the same part of the world. Again, it had raised a high amount to aid the victims of the famine. Harry Belafonte was inspired by this action. So in 1986, he contacted Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson to do the same. The two musicians then composed the song “ We Are The World”. This song was recorded by popular artists of the 80’s in the United States of America. It was done for the same purpose, to raise an amount to help Africa. As a part of that generation, we were inspired watching popular artists uniting to save those who were starving. What if Christians do the same? To be united in order to save starving human souls. How pleasant and good will that be in our sight?
Psalm 133 starts with the line, “ How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” This does not talk about people living in the same house but it talks about people living in faith in one household or people living in one compound. When it comes to church, it does not only talk about Christians in a congregation. It talks about congregations being united with other congregations for the glory of God. United in faith and in worship as they gather together to receive the blessing from God. During the old Israel, the site where this spiritual unity was pictured during sacrificial worships in the tabernacle and in the temple. This event showed that they agreed in their belief and had one goal, such was very good and was very pleasant to see. The psalm also shows how can one be in unity with other bodies of faith. The second verse of Psalm 133 says, “ It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; ”What does this say? First when the oil is poured all over the priest for his anointment in front of the congregation, it means that he has been united to the people whom he was installed to serve. It should also be remembered that olive oil has a medicinal significance. Olive oil is very potent in killing lice and can also clean and soothe the skin. Thus, it means that the oil running down from the head of the priest to his lower garments mean that the mercy and blessings of God goes to the priest and down to each member of the church. Also, it means that the blessings of God and the mutual care among the members are being extended to the visitors who enter the church. This then is the first path in how to be united with other brothers in faith. A congregation must first be united before being able to unite with other bodies. For how can one congregation be in unity with other congregations if they have a problem within? They must first find a solution to eradicate that problem in order for them to be in union with other group of believers. For the reason that a rotten tomato should not be included to the fresh ones, it may cause others to rot also. All members then of a congregation, including us, must do their roles in order for every respective ministry to work. No one should be idle, all should work and no one should say, “I cannot help for I have nothing to share.” It is written in Ephesians 4:7,”But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” This verse is telling us that everyone has a gift from Christ. No one can claim that he/she had not received a gift. All of us has something to share and all of us has a responsibility to do. If all will do their part, then expect that this congregation will mature and grow. We will be able to achieve unity in faith. And if such happen, our church can then be in unity with other group of believers. Our church then will have a face to stand with them in achieving the Christian goal and that is to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.
This goal and God’s desire is stated on the third verse of our text, “As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” The desire of our Lord is to bless and to reward each believer eternal life. Mt. Hermon here on earth are the true Christian churches that teach the Word and administer the sacraments. The Word and the sacraments are the dew that falls on His people. Such is needed in order for the hearts of believers not to turn into a dry land. And, in order for the dew to fall on those who still lives in darkness so that they may also have life. Again, in unity this should be carried out by all people in faith. They should be in agreement in spirit, in the true teaching and in practice so that they can spread the blessing coming from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. By spreading this blessing, those who listens with the help of the Holy Spirit will be able to have eternal life.
The question is, “ Can the people of faith in this present time do this?” Even in a small congregation, unity among members is hardly achieved. There are many causes why members learn to hate each other through the passing of time. Some are becoming modern pharisees, they see themselves as holier than others. These individuals want that they are in command in the church. In their minds, their options should always be followed. But if decisions goes against them, they destroy individuals and divide the church. Many enter the church only for compliance, they attend the divine service just for attendance. These are the individuals who refuse to help in church activities and don’t give a damn when problem arises. If you really are observant, Christianity is the venue of arguments. Many Christian denominations claim that they are real and the others teach the wrong doctrine. They destroy and condemn each other. In this kind of scenery the devil is saying, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers of faith destroying each other!”
Yes indeed, the situation is true. But, the faith implanted by the Holy Spirit in our hearts defeat such working of the devil. This faith always remind believers the redeeming act of Christ. Christ suffered and died for all humanity. He wanted all to receive the gift of eternal life. And He willingly went through gruesome and excruciating pain for that gift. He carried our sins to the cross, He was tortured, beaten, spat on the face as He was laughed at. Nails went through His flesh and was presented naked in the cross. A crown of thorns was nailed into His head to shame Him, all of these He did so that our sin be washed away. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ went through all these to unite those who have faith under His grace.
As we receive His grace through faith, the Word and His sacrament we are being strengthened and edified in faith. That gives us reason to be grateful because we are given the privilege to sow unity among our brothers. His Word bonds us together, teaching and guiding us on how to behave as brothers and sisters in Christ. Such unity is expressed as believers commune to receive the true body and blood of Christ. Be grateful for we are strengthened and edified in order to share to others the Gospel. Thank God for giving us the opportunity to be like the dew of Mt. Hermon that spreads life to those who are still living under darkness.
Be grateful, for the body of Christ still serves His purpose. The church continuously unites believers. He always serves as the green pasture for believers, the place where they fed and the place of refuge. The church continuously heal those who are sick. His body is also the one responsible with other believers outside our church. Making us stronger and better bearer of the Gospel. Through the Holy Spirit, spiritual unity is experienced where we are led to the true teaching and guidance. Thus we can always say, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”