The last hymn

Deborah Bate July 24, 2026 2 1

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Mark 14: 26 (NIV-UK)

26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

The atmosphere is sombre. Jesus has just announced to his twelve followers that one of them will betray him. Worse still, that for the betrayer it would be “better for him if he had not been born”.

We read, “They were saddened”. They each question him, “Surely, you don’t mean me?”

And then further mystery… Jesus continues, while they are eating, to talk of the bread as his body and the wine as his blood “poured out for many”. Heavy stuff. I wonder at the tone and demeanor Jesus might have carried in that moment.

Surely the disciples’ minds are spinning, questioning?

Yet here, at the end of the meal, we read “When they had sung a hymn…”

Let’s not skip past this moment. In the midst of the serious questions and grief, the Lord and his group of twelve join together in a hymn. I wonder at the thought processes of the disciples as they were singing well known words and melody. I wonder what sort of a hymn it was. Possibly not a moment of joyful praise. Yet here it is, an example to worship God in the midst of confusion and mystery.

I remember a time in my own life where I repeatedly listened to a song that declared “Holy Spirit, you are so precious to me”, and it anchored my soul in the midst of pain to remember that God’s opinion was the only one that truly mattered and that I knew the best way forward was to set my heart on Him and be faithful to Him.

Perhaps you can remember a moment where music or song has stepped in to express something bittersweet in your life?

Let’s pray:

Lord, we thank you for music and song as a reflection and expression of life’s moments and experiences. We ask you for songs of comfort in grief, and anchor in confusion. Help us to take hold of songs that are good for us, that speak of your truth and point us to you. Amen.