Mark 14 / Aug 5 - not that it matters...

I want you to take a second look at verse 26. This portion of Scripture is powerful when it comes to Jesus and His incredible example of servanthood and love. But I want to skip all that. In fact, this whole chapter is loaded with all kinds of things that it would take weeks to discuss each item of importance. But we won't look at any of that.

We're going to look at this silly verse that doesn't change the passage one little bit. So, why would we waste time on it? Well, I just got curious. This verse says that they "sang a hymn" and went outside. And I've heard this argument lots of times about why Praise songs aren't biblical or if you sing hymns you're more spiritual or something and this passage along with others is used.

Well, the bible says that we are to sing "songs, hymns and spiritual songs." Or, "I will sing hymns to your name." I mean, even Paul and Silas sang "hymns" while they were in jail. So, as you can see, Hymns are the more spiritual way to worship God. So, I've heard this kind of thing not just about hymns but other pet issues too. So, I decided to poke around the word a little bit.

Did you know that the word hymn may have actually come from the Greek god of marriage, hymen. And a wedding song that was sung. It also literally means, a song of praise; a song of praise or joy and a song or ode in praise to gods or heroes. What this all means is that the word hymn was around before the Biblical writers used it to describe what was going on. It did not originate with the Bible and simply described what was being done. It was a certain kind of song - sung to gods or about heroes.

So, isn't this exactly what is going on today? People singing songs of praise or joy to God? What is different? Hymns tell stories, some of them good and some not so good. The modern day hymn expresses the emotional or "feeling" side of our relationship with God. So, let's put this issue to rest shall we? You say potatoe and I say potato but we're both talking about the same famous brown (or sometimes red) meaty thing that you pull up out of the ground and then make french fries out of!

Have a good Tuesday!