"How good and pleasant it is!"

Psalm 133

Pastor Tom Johnson, April 15, 2012

 

“How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity!” How wonderful and a joy it is when sisters and brothers live in loving community! How great a blessing it is when the people of God are a true family of faith! How desperately this world needs a genuine, authentic community of unconditional love—a place where people can be themselves and accepted—a place where no one is unfairly judged. How needed are genuine friends and companions in life’s journey—people who are truly interested in you—who really do pray for you—and are there to encourage you and cheer you on! How high a call it is for us to love one another as Christ loved us—self-sacrificially—laying one’s life down for others—selflessly giving of yourself to your sisters and brothers in Christ—and to always be ready for another friend! How beautiful it is when the power of the Resurrection transforms us, heals broken relationships, and keeps us close to our heavenly Father! How precious is the evidence of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of his people! “How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity!”

How sad and disappointing it is when we live in disharmony! How tragic it is when we cannot resolve conflict in a God-pleasing way! How disheartening it is when the church feels like a social club! How shameful it is when the church has junior high politics—when we have cliques, gossip, and don’t settle disagreements as children of light—with the faith that every conflict we have is an opportunity to glorify God. How discouraging it is when we major on minors—choose our battles unwisely—where being right or winning an argument is more important than seeking understanding—where we are slow to listen and quick to anger. How much it grieves the Holy Spirit when we harbor bitterness—when we lack the courage to face conflict head on—when we do not trust God to bring about peace which the world cannot give—when we do not participate in Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation.

“How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity!” It is like the consecration of the high priest—the lavish pouring of oil on Aaron’s head—that is so plentiful that it not only anoints his head but drips off his full, priestly beard—and saturates the collar of his robe. Togetherness in Christ’s Church is like wine spilling over the brim of the cup of blessing that runs over into everyone’s life. Harmony among sisters and brothers is what the ministry of reconciliation is all about. The consecration of Hebrew priests and the ordination of pastors should reconcile us to God and one to another. The core of the Christian faith is forgiveness of sins flowing from the crucified and risen Savior, Jesus Christ. When we withhold forgiveness and neglect harmonious relationships, we are missing what religion is all about—loving God with our whole heart, mind and strength—and loving each other as Jesus loved the Church.

“How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity!” It is like the dew of Hermon flowing down on the hills of Zion. Mt. Hermon in the north is always saturated with moisture unlike the dry, arid hills of Zion. Living together in unity is like the cool rain of Seattle pouring down on the hot and thirsty ground of Phoenix. True community is like the quiet, bright rays of sunshine breaking through after a loud and turbulent storm. The family of God is the strong tower of refuge from this embattled world—it is the living proof that the Kingdom of God is among us—the manifestation of the Gospel for the world to see—as Jesus said, “They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another” (John 13:35).

“How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity!” For it is in this place—the gathering of the people of God—where God has uttered his decree and commanded the blessing—life forevermore! It is in our assembly where the power of the resurrection is put on full display. It is here at the font where God washes away our sins and declares that we are his royal, adopted children. It is here at the pulpit where his Word goes out and does not return void but assures us of his grace and forgiveness. It is here at the Table where Jesus gives his Body and Blood with the bread and the wine—and he assures us that our sins are forgiven and strengthens our faith for the week ahead. It is in this sweet communion and fellowship of the saints where God has commanded the blessing—life forevermore! We are the bearers of the power of the resurrection! We are the stewards of the message of Jesus Christ. He boldly proclaims that we have eternal life in him. We can courageously embrace one another as one with the confidence that our unity is a foretaste of the oneness that will have no end. How good and pleasant it is! How good and pleasant it will forever be!