February 23, 2023

Dear Central Church,

Every generation loves its music. I don’t care where I am or what I’m doing, but there are certain songs that when I hear them on the radio or in the elevator, my mind goes back to a different time and place.

Sociologists tell us that every generation is incredibly biased when it comes to music. They all exclaim about the top 40 of their youth, “This is the BEST music ever!” Without apology, I can say this is true for me. I grew up on the country music of the 90’s. I turned on a country music station the other day and lamented to the friend who was riding with me, “I don’t know what they call that stuff today, but if it doesn’t sound like George, Reba, Garth, or Trisha, it’s NOT country music.”

Do you think it was any different for Jesus? If Jesus had an iPod in the First Century, what would have been on his playlist? We know the soundtrack of his life was the book of Psalms. From the earliest days of God’s people, the Psalms have played a crucial role. Music always does. They are quoted more than any other book in the New Testament. Martin Luther called the Psalms a “mini-Bible,” for there one can find the key doctrines of God and salvation.

Not only is there doctrine in the Psalms, it’s “doctrine that dances.” These truths about God beat in a rhythm that gets deep in our soul. We are invited to use our imaginations and think poetically about the beauty of our life in God.

The hymnbook of Israel reminds us that we were born to sing! The Lord gives a song for every season of life. The people of God have been through difficult situations before. God has always been faithful, and God does not fail to give a song in the night. More than ever, it’s important that we sing the right songs!

As we journey through this season of Lent, my prayer is that the Psalms of Jesus would become OUR soundtrack. I hope to see you this Sunday as we sing with Jesus on our way to the cross and the empty tomb.

Until He’s Finished,

Pastor Mark