Ps.133:1-3 – Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.
Obviously this passage is a prophetic glimpse of Pentecost. This Psalm was written about 1000 years before the Day of Pentecost yet its language is full of images drawn from that eventful day. We see the oil poured out on the head of the high priest which pictures the outpouring of the Holy Spirit being poured on the head of our heavenly High Priest seated at the Father’s right hand. We also see the emphasis of unity, this was seen in the gathering of believers in the upper room being in one accord. Zion is also mentioned which is a prophetic nod toward the church. This place of outpouring is the beginning of our Christian faith. Joseph Caryl describes three aspects of this unity that is essential in the life of the church today.
“There are three things wherein it is very pleasant to behold the people of God joining in one.
1. When they join or are one in opinion and judgment, when they all think the same thing, and are of one mind in the truth.
2. When they join together and are one in affection, when they are all of one heart. When David had spoken admiringly of this goodly sight, he spoke declaratively concerning the goodness of it (Ps 133:2): “It is like the precious ointment upon the head.” ‘Tis so, first, for the sweetness of it; ‘tis so, secondly, for the diffusiveness of it, “that ran down even the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments.”.
3. It is a blessed thing to see them joining together in duty, either as duty is considered—First, in doing that which is good; or, when, as the apostle’s word is, they are, among themselves, “workers together” in any good work: we say, “workers together with God.””
These three observations are critical for a church to go forward and impacts its world. There has to be an agreement in belief that leads to faith. The object of our faith is the Lord Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. There has to be a oneness in our love or affection for the Lord and His kingdom. Our affections are the source of all we do, if we have a body of believers who love Jesus passionately we can change our world. The fruit of believing and loving Jesus together is our actions. Because of our common love and faith we go forward preaching Christ and seeing the blessing of the Lord upon our lives.