The words above spoken by the prophet Job were spoken many years before the birth of Jesus, yet they were spoken in faith and with confidence in the promises of God. Job knew that he would die someday and his body would would be placed in the ground where it would decay and turn back to dust. But he also knew that his body and soul would be reunited again in heaven on judgement day, and that he would see God face to face.
Today (March 31, 2013) all Christians celebrated Jesus' resurrection from the dead. It is a day of rejoicing because in Jesus we have hope and the promise of a new life to come. Without Jesus we have no purpose in life. Without Jesus we live only to die someday. But with Jesus, death is merely the gateway to heaven where we will live with God forever and bask in His love and light. With Jesus we live our life here on earth in joyful service to Him and our fellowman and we look forward to the life to come.
Job looked forward to the promised Messiah. We who live 2013 years after the birth of Christ can look back and speak with the same confidence knowing that Jesus lived and died for us, and rose again triumphant over death. Jesus promises that because He lives, all who have faith in Him will live also. All who believe in Jesus will someday pass from death into eternal life in heaven. And when Jesus comes again to judge the world our bodies and souls will once again be reunited. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One [Jesus] see decay Acts 2: 26, 27).
There is a hymn I have sung every Easter since I was old enough to memorize and/or read the words. The Hymn is titled; I know that my Redeemer Lives. It was sung at my grandfather's funeral at his request. It was sung at my mother's funeral at my request and it will be sung at my own funeral also at my request. It offers much comfort for the living and for the dying. I would like to print for you selected verses.
I Know that My Redeemer Lives
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 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 Jesus, still the same.
Oh the sweet joy this sentence gives;
"I know that my Redeemer Lives!"
(Christian Worship Pg. 152, Vs. 1,2,3,7,8)
Thank you Jesus for living and dying for me!
No comments:
Post a Comment