when brothers dwell in unity! Psalm 133:1
Psalm 133:1 is the beginning of the Introit for last Sunday. For the three great festivals of the year, the people of God would travel to Jerusalem to worship at the temple and celebrate their communion with their heavenly Father. As they approached Jerusalem these pilgrim bands would swell in ranks and sing the Psalms of Ascent as they climbed to the heights of Jerusalem and saw the temple towering over the city. How delightful it was to celebrate their unity with one another as they gathered to worship the one God and to receive His blessings!
Our lives are filled with conflict. Factions and cliques push their agendas. At work or school schemes are hatched by self-serving people. In traffic, horns are sounded if someone inadvertently impedes the way of another. Generosity and kindness are a rare commodity.
How good and pleasant it is then when we can gather with fellow believers in Christ on the Lord’s day to hear His holy word, receive His gifts and sing His praise. In the Church we are all poor miserable sinners who kneel before the cross to receive forgiveness, life and salvation.
In the Large Catechism, Martin Luther puts it this way as he describes the Holy Christian Church and the Communion of Saints in the Large Catechism
“But this is the meaning and substance of this addition:
“I believe that there is upon earth a little holy group and congregation of pure saints, under one head, even Christ [Ephesians 1:22]. This group is called together by the Holy Spirit in one faith, one mind, and understanding, with many different gifts, yet agreeing in love, without sects or schisms [Ephesians 4:5–8, 11]. I am also a part and member of this same group, a sharer and joint owner of all the goods it possesses [Romans 8:17]. I am brought to it and incorporated into it by the Holy Spirit through having heard and continuing to hear God’s Word [Galatians 3:1–2], which is the beginning of entering it. In the past, before we had attained to this, we were altogether of the devil, knowing nothing about God and about Christ [Romans 3:10–12]. So, until the Last Day, the Holy Spirit abides with the holy congregation or Christendom [John 14:17]. Through this congregation He brings us to Christ and He teaches and preaches to us the Word [John 14:26]. By the Word He works and promotes sanctification, causing this congregation daily to grow and to become strong in the faith and its fruit, which He produces [Galatians 5].”
Prayer: Lord thank you for making me part of this little group you call your own, the Holy Christian Church. Keep me in Christ and His word until the Last Day. Grant me the opportunity to worship with my fellow believers in church on Sunday for this will be good and pleasant. Amen.
God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus
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