Jesus speaks to us today, saying,
“He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to
you.”
The Holy Ghost’s job is to tell of Jesus. If the Holy Ghost
is speaking, He is speaking of Jesus. If the Holy Ghost is working, He is
pointing to Jesus. Thus, when it comes to anything that happens, in the Church,
especially singing, we know what is going on and what is supposed to go on.
Just what IS supposed to go on? What does it mean that the
Church is a singing Church?
There are those who think singing is of the devil. Maybe
because there is too much baggage that goes with singing. In today’s modern,
enlightened world, we have songs about one thing: lust.
Songs today are about lust; the lust of a woman, sure, but
also the lust for money, the lust for drinking, smoking, doing drugs, or even
hurting people. There are also songs about the lust for the good old days, for
partying, for just being left alone, and there are even songs about the lust
for family.
So now we have this feel-good, catchy music that turns our
wants and desires into idols. Effectively, music is all about us. It is about
our wants, our desires, and our feelings. We are our own idols and this is
evident by the fact that we have favorite types of music and that we listen to
music we like.
How many times a day do you think to yourself, “I need to
listen to music that is good for me”? If we ever turn to music, it is always
with a selfish heart: what will get me through this, what will get me through
this day, or what will appeal to me.
Music is very subjective and is why it is a multi-billion
dollar industry. Because it is a buffet-style restaurant in which you only go
and return to whatever you choose and maybe, all the while, despising the other
choices.
Music and melody also carry meaning. You can’t tell me that
a fast beat and loud noises induce a low heart rate. Certain melodies are used
in certain situations. This is why, in our lifetimes, Jazz was so taboo.
So what is the Church to do? It would be impossible to
borrow from culture and not drag the baggage along with it. It is also
impossible to create a new genre of music, although it is tempting.
The Church does what it has always done. Singing originated
in the Church. I say that there is nothing to sing about except God and His promises
to men. In fact, each and every song may just be a tribute or a longing to just
such a truth from God.
So the Church creates song and what does she sing about?
Jesus tells us. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and all truth is
nothing but Jesus, because the Holy Spirit will take what is Jesus’ and give it
to you.
Well, everything is Jesus’ so your musical history dates
back to the dawn of time. The songs you sing today, yes are dated earlier than
that, but they carry with them the same Spirit that created the world, for
nothing is sung in Church, if it is not from the Holy Spirit.
Even Jesus sings. What do you think went on at the Temple or all those
synagogues He visited: dreary readings and discussions?
Repent. The temptation to please ourselves with our own
songs is too great. The appeal of saturating the Church with our preferences
and styles, at the expense of the Gospel is overpowering.
Jesus sings. Through the minor prophet, Zephaniah (3:17; Hebrew), Jesus says, “[The Lord] will rejoice
over you all with singing as in a day of feasting”
The Lord sings. The Lord sings Church songs. The Lord
rejoices by singing and He sings at His Divine Service. He creates the Service
as a location in time and space for you to commune with Him; physically and
spiritually.
This all for your benefit. Jesus sings and will not allow
anything else except songs about Him, His glory, and how it is given to you.
Jesus will not sing about anything except His sacrifice upon the cross and your
baptism into His suffering, death, and resurrection.
When was the last time you really read a hymn or paid
attention to the words? If you can’t sing, speak the words, for in them you
find Jesus. You find and hear about Jesus dying, rising again, and singing
about you!
The Church has always been full of songs proclaiming the
Gospel. They are not just for inducing emotion, though they may. They are not
just set to personal preference, though you may enjoy them. Their only purpose
is to proclaim the faith that you might believe.
When you sing the Gloria in Excelsis, you are singing
exactly what the angels are singing in heaven right now. When you sing the
Sanctus (Holy holy holy) you are singing yet another song of heaven. You do not
sing alone and you do not have to make up the words. Jesus gives you more than
enough to sing and pray by.
Thus, they are sung sermons and even prayers. Try praying a
hymn once, I bet you’ll love it. They are not just quotes from the Bible, they
are Christ-centered. They declare that Jesus convicts us of sin, but forgives
it all; that Jesus is righteous, ascending to the Father, yet gives us His
righteousness that we too, might also ascend; that Jesus has been judged in
your place so that you would not be judged.
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