Hallel Day 6 We Will Bless

Psalm 115:9-18
John 13:21-38
Genesis 15:1-6
Revelation 19:4-10

Hallel, Day 6

“O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.

O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.

You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.”
(Psalm 115:9-11)

Our ears tingled as the somber song spilled over lips and filled the heavy air, reminding us to trust in Yahweh. Our bellies were full, but rather than the comfortable sated feeling we expected, every nerve reverberated with a tension we couldn’t quite explain.

Only moments ago, Judas had run from the room, practically upsetting the whole table in the process. There was a significance to be found there, but it was clear no one understood what it could be. Every word we sang resonated in our trembling hearts as minds spun to process what Yeshua had said.

What He was saying. 

“Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in himself and will glorify Him at once. Children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for Me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 

I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
(John 13:31-35)

Confusion reigned and dark eyes sought each other’s gaze in silent query.
What does He mean? Where is He going? Why did Judas flee so suddenly?

Our song continued.

“The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.

He will bless those who fear the Lord,
The small together with the great.”
(Psalm 115:12-13)

Simon Peter was first to ask the thought weighing on each of our spirits as we reclined around the room and listened to Teacher. “Lord, where are You going?”

Yeshua replied, but His words sparked more questions.
“Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”

The following exchange left us reluctant to ask anything more as we considered what we heard.

Peter would deny him thrice?
Simon Peter?
Peter, who leapt out into the stormy sea when he saw Yeshua walking on water?
Peter, who wanted to erect tabernacles to Yeshua, Moses and Elijah in Caesarea Philippi, the very epicenter of paganism in the land?
Peter, who only moments ago had boasted to our Lord that He might wash his head and hands, as well as his feet?  

Cold, unspeakable dread coiled in each belly as He continued to speak things which confounded us. What could Yeshua mean?  What was coming?

Our customary Hallel rang out again.

“May the Lord give you increase,
You and your children.
May you be blessed of the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.”
(Psalm 115:14-15)

And as He always did, He answered our thoughts as though they had been spoken aloud. His piercing, gentle gaze fell on one, then another.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 

You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 

I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me.
On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me.”
(John 14:27-31)

Night had fallen; the absence of the sun was fitting. As we made ready to leave together, we could not escape the sense of finality echoing in our footsteps. Yeshua’s indescribable voice was kind as He spoke about abiding in the vine, but His eyes held great sadness.

“The heavens are the heavens of the Lord,
But the earth He has given to the sons of men.
The dead do not praise the Lord,
Nor do any who go down into silence;
But as for us, we will bless the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Praise the Lord!”
(Psalm 115:16-18)

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