10:58 PM

Lent Day #40

I figure we should be counting down, seeing as the "big event" we are celebrating is the resurrection of Christ.

So now i unveil the plan: every day of lent i will be blogging a hymn (and on it) that deals with the doctrine of propitiatory atonement. In other words, Jesus' life covers our lives, His death pays for the deaths we deserve, and His resurrection defeats death.

Today's hymn: "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"

come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free
from our fears and sins release us - let us find our rest in Thee
israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art
dear desire of ev'ry nation, joy of ev'ry longing heart

born Thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king
born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring
by Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone
by Thine all sufficient merit raise us to Thy glorious throne

~~~~~~~
ok this hymn is flat out nuts. i know it's technically a "christmas hymn" but i don't buy that for a second, as you will quickly notice in the next few days. so many hymns we treat as seasonal really ought to be sung year round... the Gospel is true every day, after all.

i picked this hymn for several major reasons:
1) the emphasis on the destiny of Christ. He was so clearly born FOR certain things, born TO a certain life - a life that redeemed us from hellfire.
2) i love the plea in the second line - "from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee" because i can be so easily bound and entangled by my fears and sins. it is that very kind of freedom and rest that Jesus came to give us... :-D
3) i love the language about Jesus being the hope of the world. after all, though i'm a rather die-hard calvinist, there is no doubt in my mind that the only hope the world has is Christ. it is through Christ that creation is being redeemed - it's not just us! and every heart that truly longs after God will have Him, for He Himself placed that longing in that heart.
4) i love the line "born a child and yet a king" because it reminds me just how human Jesus was - 100%, baby!

See y'all here tomorrow!

1 comments:

Unknown said...

"Hear, hear!" on the not-for-Christmas-only idea.

You know, you could say "there is no doubt in your mind that the only hope the world has is Christ because you're a rather die-hard Calvinist." After all, if Christ didn't actually (read: effectually) save anyone, there can be no real hope...right? Anyway - just a thought.

Great idea, and wonderful hymn - thanks for sharing.