If you sat down to have dinner with your closest friends to tell them you were going to die, then decided to sing together before you left the table, what would that song be?

I know you might be thinking that a sing-a-long time would not be part of the evening, but what if it was? If you did ask everyone to sing a song with you, what’s at the top of the playlist?

Maybe it’s a song about a last-minute hope or a song about your stress level or one about turning back the clock? Maybe you’ll lead in a song about being thankful for your friends or one about looking forward to a change of scenery?

The night before Jesus went to the cross He ate a meal with his closest friends. After they ate together, he reminded them that he was going to die and then led them in a song before they left the room. Jesus knew he would be arrested that night. He knew the cross was just around the corner.  He knew all of it and felt the weight of it and still sang a song with his friends.

He also knew that the very friends who sang with him would also betray him.

Songs, like meals, should be unifying experiences. Whether it’s the national anthem, “Happy Birthday,” “Auld Lang Syne” or “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” songs usually bring us together for one reason or another.

When Jesus sang with his friends he was inviting them to share one more part of the story with him. Singing together wasn’t done just because of tradition.  It wasn’t just a nice way to end the evening. The song itself was sung on purpose and for a reason.

We don’t know exactly what the specific hymn was but scholars have some ideas considering the context of which songs were done at certain times of Passover.

At the top of the playlist seems to be Psalms 114-118. Songs where the Psalmist pledges to keep his vows (116:12-14), emphasizing triumph over rejection (118) and a call for the nations to praise God (117).  The type of song would have been one where he sings a line and those with him would respond with “Hallelujah!” What must have the disciples felt as they sang this song?

Though they would turn their back on him and though the people would call for his death, it is possible that Jesus’ song communicates his willingness to keep his promise anyway.  His song may have included reminders that even though his friends and the people would reject him, he would still triumph. I wonder what it was like for His disciples the first time they heard that song after the resurrection?

Jesus could sing this song because he knew that the resurrection was at the end of the difficult path he was on.  Yet, he wasn’t caught up in regret or despair or even making sure his friends didn’t betray him.  He was caught up in the reason he came.

He knew he would die and knew he would rise and he knew the resurrection would change things forever.

Does the last song you sing with your friends before you die change because you know this?

If Jesus could face death with a song on his lips, you can be encouraged to sing in the midst of whatever you face.  You know the end of the story.  You know what comes on Sunday. You know that death doesn’t silence our song — it just makes it louder.

So let the song you sing with your friends be one they remember. Let it be a song reminding them of your determination to follow and your hope in what’s to come. Let it be a song that is sung on purpose and for a reason.  A song that leads them to respond with “Hallelujah!” because they can’t help but worship the risen, conquering Savior.