SCRIP-BITS

Job 19:25.        ‘For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day (at last) upon the earth.’

Another sunny Sunday has come upon us my faithful brethren, meaning it’s time for us to gather in the Lord’s sanctuary for fellowship with each other, while offering true and undying praise and thanksgiving to our mighty God Jehovah; the One who created the earth and all therein! And we offer our gratitude and praise because of all that He’s done for us from day one, all down through the ages, what He’s doing now, and what he’s faithfully promised to do in the future.

And with all of that in mind, let’s offer up our song of worship for today, one appropriately titled; ‘I know that My Redeemer Lives.’  And do we ever know that with all surety, because our Saviour Jesus Christ is indeed alive; alive and kicking! The song is an English Christian hymn written in 1775, specifically for Easter, by British born Samuel Medley (1738-1799), who, after having a succession of jobs eventually became a Baptist Pastor in 1767. So, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a tender, soulful but heartfelt version of the song, so that anyone who hears us singing it will know that we truly believe what we’re singing.

As one voice: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives! What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead; he lives, my ever-living head! He lives triumphant from the grave; he lives eternally to save; he lives all-glorious in the sky; he lives exalted there on high. He lives to bless me with his LOVE; he lives to plead for me above; he lives my hungry soul to feed; he lives to help in time of need. He lives to grant me rich supply; he lives to guide me with his eye; he lives to comfort me when faint; he lives to hear my soul’s  complaint. He lives to silence all my fears; he lives to wipe away my tears; he lives to calm my troubled heart; he lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend; he lives and LOVES me to the end; he lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing; he lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King. He lives and grants me daily breath; he lives, and I shall conquer death; he lives my mansion to prepare; he lives to bring me safely there. He lives, all glory to his name! He lives, my Savior, still the same. Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives! He lives, all glory to his name! He lives, my Savior, still the same. Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!’

Oh friends, that was wonderful! The song is chocked full of so many tidbits of scripture that we will never be able to share them all, so we’ll do as many as time and space affords us. And we’ll begin with that famous verse from the lips of Job when he was suffering the uncalled for admonition of his friends. He confidently said to them: ‘For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day (at last) upon the earth.’ (Job 19:25) And this commentary explains that verse thus; ‘That my Redeemer lives: Job knew that his Redeemer was alive, and that because He lived, He could also bring life to Job. And shall stand at last on the earth: This meant that Job knew his Redeemer was more than a spiritual concept; He was a living being who could stand at last on the earth.’

And we surely know that because our Redeemer Jesus Christ is very much alive because He rose from the dead on Easter Sunday.  As the song says: ‘He lives triumphant from the grave; he lives eternally to save;’ It’s like Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John. 3:17) Then, as Jesus said to Martha, before raising her brother Lazarus from the dead. ‘I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead (may die), yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?’ (John 11:24-26)

Yes  my fellow believers, Jesus’ death and resurrection did wonderful things for us, as Bruh Paul wrote to the Ephesians: ‘In whom (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.’ (Eph. 1:7) We were redeemed by the shed blood of Christ on the cross of Calvary. And as the scholars tell us: ‘Redemption referred to the release of a slave or captive upon receipt of ransom. But the following words, the forgiveness of sins, show “redemption” is used here in a moral sense. Christians are therefore released from their enslavement to sin and the resulting divine wrath.’

And per ‘he lives, and I shall conquer death;’ Jesus said it to the disciples. ‘Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye also shall live.’ (John 14:19) What wonderful news my brethren! As this overview says: ‘It’s a profound promise from Jesus, signifying that believers share in His resurrection victory over death. It assures eternal life, spiritual communion with God, and comfort, confirming that Christ’s resurrection makes it possible for followers to have everlasting life.’ That leads us to Bruh Paul saying to the Corinthians:  ‘O Death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor. 15:55-57)

Then, what about this line of the song, ‘he lives to plead for me above?’ Oh yes, Bruh Paul tells it thus to the Romans: ‘Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.’ (Rom. 8:34) And here’s how this commentary explains that verse: ‘Jesus is indeed interceding. Jesus is actively interceding for believers at the right hand of God, serving as the only mediator and defense advocate. Seated in a position of authority, He pleads our case against accusations of sin, securing our standing based on his successful sacrifice and righteousness.’ And John in his first epistle also identifies Christ as advocating for us on high, when he writes: ‘My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.’ (1 John 2:1)

And we’ll end with this last tidbit from the song: ‘he lives my mansion to prepare.’ And Jesus Himself promised that to the disciples, and consequently to us. ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go  to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:2-3)

Wow! It could not get any better than that my bredrin!  So, let’s pay serious attention to all that Jesus has done for us, and truly believe, and live a life worthwhile of His many sacrifices. That’s the only way to repay a little of what we owe Him! Much LOVE!

…Jesus is all we’ll ever need…

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