Behold, How Good and Pleasant It Is — Rediscovering the Gift of Christian Community
Scripture: Psalm 133
In today's world, we have never been more connected, yet many people have never felt more alone. Social media gives us followers but not always friendships. We work remotely, worship online, and communicate through screens, yet deep Christian fellowship often becomes optional rather than essential.
Psalm 133 reminds us that God never intended His people to journey through life alone.
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
David begins with one simple word:
"Behold."
It means, "Stop. Look. Don't miss this."
What is so important that David commands us to notice it?
Not a great king.
Not a military victory.
Not the beauty of Jerusalem.
Instead, he points us toward something that many Christians easily overlook:
Brothers and sisters living together in unity.
Unity Is More Than Simply Getting Along
When we hear the word "unity," we often think of people avoiding arguments or pretending everything is fine. Biblical unity is much deeper than that.
The church is not united because everyone has the same personality, culture, political view, or life experience.
We are united because every believer has been united to Jesus Christ.
Our relationship with one another begins with our relationship with Him.
The sermon beautifully reminded us that two invisible realities become visible at the Lord's Supper:
- Our union with Christ
- Our union with one another through Christ
When we gather around the Lord's Table, we are reminded that Christianity was never designed to be a private religion.
The gospel always creates a family.
God Never Intended Christians to Walk Alone
One phrase from the sermon stood out deeply:
"Dwell together."
From Genesis to Revelation, God's desire has always been to dwell with His people, and for His people to dwell together.
Even before sin entered the world, God declared:
"It is not good that the man should be alone." (Genesis 2:18)
Loneliness was the first thing in creation God called "not good."
This truth extends beyond marriage.
The church is meant to be a spiritual family where believers worship together, pray together, serve together, forgive one another, bear each other's burdens, and encourage one another toward Christ.
Modern culture celebrates independence.
The gospel celebrates interdependence.
The Beauty We Often Take for Granted
One of the most challenging thoughts in the sermon is how easily we notice everything wrong with the church.
It is easy to point out:
- Hypocrisy
- Disagreements
- Different worship styles
- Leadership failures
- Personality conflicts
David acknowledges none of these in Psalm 133.
Instead, he tells us to look at something beautiful.
Sometimes we become so focused on the imperfections of God's people that we forget to appreciate the miracle that sinners redeemed by grace can worship together at all.
The church has never been perfect.
It wasn't perfect in the New Testament.
It wasn't perfect during the Reformation.
It isn't perfect today.
Yet Christ still loves His church.
Perhaps we should spend more time seeing what He sees.
Oil and Dew: Pictures of God's Blessing
David uses two unusual images:
- Oil flowing down Aaron's beard
- Dew descending from Mount Hermon
At first glance, these images seem strange to modern readers.
But together they communicate something powerful.
Both come from above.
Neither originates from human effort.
The oil symbolizes God's consecration and blessing.
The dew symbolizes God's life-giving refreshment.
Christian unity is never manufactured by clever leadership, better programs, or organizational skill.
It is a gift that comes from God Himself.
When believers genuinely love one another despite their differences, the Holy Spirit is at work.
That is something only God can produce.
The Lord's Supper Reminds Us Who We Belong To
One of the sermon's strongest applications centered on Communion.
The bread and cup are not merely religious traditions.
They remind us that Jesus shed His blood to reconcile us not only to God but also to one another.
When believers gather around one table, they declare that Christ has made them one family.
No one comes because they are worthy.
Everyone comes because Jesus is worthy.
The ground at the foot of the cross is level.
Every Christian arrives as a forgiven sinner saved by grace alone.
What This Means for My Own Life
Reading this sermon caused me to ask several honest questions.
Do I merely attend church, or do I truly belong to God's people?
Do I invest in Christian friendships, or do I stay comfortably distant?
Am I contributing to unity, or quietly creating division through criticism, gossip, or unforgiveness?
Do people experience more of Christ after spending time with me?
These questions are uncomfortable, but necessary.
Christian maturity is never measured only by biblical knowledge.
It is also measured by how well we love the family God has given us.
Christ Is the Center of Our Unity
Ultimately, Psalm 133 points beyond Aaron, beyond Mount Zion, and beyond Israel.
It points to Jesus Christ.
Jesus is our true High Priest.
He entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all through His own sacrifice.
Because our sins have been forgiven through His blood, we have peace with God.
And because we have peace with God, we can also pursue peace with one another.
Christian unity is not achieved by ignoring truth.
It is created by gathering around the Truth—Jesus Christ Himself.
The closer we draw to Christ, the closer we naturally draw to each other.
Final Reflection
Psalm 133 is surprisingly relevant in our fragmented age.
In a culture marked by isolation, division, and constant outrage, the church has an opportunity to display something radically different.
When believers forgive one another, serve one another, pray together, worship together, and gather around the Lord's Table, the world catches a glimpse of God's Kingdom.
May we never treat Christian fellowship as optional.
May we cherish the family Christ purchased with His own blood.
And may people who encounter our churches be able to say the very words David proclaimed thousands of years ago:
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us into Your family through Jesus Christ. Forgive us for the times we have neglected fellowship, held on to bitterness, or failed to love our brothers and sisters well. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that our churches would reflect the unity that Christ purchased at the cross. Help us to encourage one another, bear one another's burdens, and walk together as pilgrims on the journey toward our heavenly home. May our lives point others not to ourselves, but to Jesus, our great High Priest and Savior. In His name we pray. Amen.
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