“Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.” Psalm 149:1-3. Song and prayer were constantly on the lips of many. It was simply their habit, and they were totally unselfconscious. The joy they shared was almost tangible.

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2: 5-11. Jesus knew He was headed for death, a painful death. Unlike me, He chose not to take any action at all to avoid it, though I must suppose that, being fully human, He was frightened.