Resonant 7

You are here: Home / Blogs

by Leave a Comment

Our Response to the Cross

The Kingdom of the Created

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
  That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
  Demands my soul, my life, my all.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
By: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Listen as you read.  This is an orchestral version of the lessor known tune used for this text.

Having taken four weeks to inform our Alleluia’s following the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection at Easter, we turn back to this hymn which gives us an opportunity to tune our hearts to the wonder of His great love for us declared on the cross.  Because of that, and the nature of this very poetic stanza, I would like for us to expand our hearts in an attempt to engulf the profound scope of our response.  Will you join me?

Whole Realm of Nature

The Whole Realm of Nature

As I bring my heart to this text, I must admit that first line causes me to think of the physical world, and particularly the beauty and grandeur of the planet on which we live.  That is a good beginning point, but we must enlarge our gaze from there and realize Watts is more likely considering everything in the created world.  The adjacent image and the one above help us lift our gaze beyond the majesty of this globe on which we spin around our solar system, and even beyond this system to countless others.  Galaxy upon galaxy created by our God.  We must bring into focus the magnitude and splendor of what our eyes behold, but it can not stop there.

You see, the Scripture clearly declares that God made all things, visible and invisible.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.   Colossians 1:16 ESV

Things seen and unseen.  Wind.  Gravity.  Space. Powers.  Kingdoms. ___________.

Wow!  Even if we limited nature to that which we can see, or less to the creatures that call earth home, or even only one of said creatures, the wonder of each is so breath-taking.  Think of how every single person is created in the image of God, and then begin to multiply that reality for each of us over all time and the value is impossible to comprehend.

Every individual is an expression of the whole realm of nature, a unique action of the total universe.  Alan Watts

Though our perspective is they are unique actions of their Creator, the worth is staggering, and that does not account for all the other animals, the landscapes, the hidden gems and metals, etc.  Amazing!  Yet not nearly as amazing as what the third line calls to mind.  But first our second line.

Present Far Too Small

A Present Far Too Small

If all the realm, or kingdom, of nature were mine, he says, that would be a present, or offering, far too small.  Unfortunately, the whole realm of nature is not mine, but alas even if it were, it would not be an equal response to what has been presented to us.

A present.  Something offered as a gift.  A present is not earned, or it would be compensation.  A present is not paid, or it would be a return a favor done.  A present is merely given, as a valid token of affection without the expectation of compensation, for a number of other reasons.

Reasons for Giving a Gift

  1. An expression of love
  2. To honor a loved one’s birthday
  3. Make your loved one feel special
  4. Let you loved one know you pay attention to their needs
  5. As a token of appreciation for your loved one
  6. Help you keep in touch with your loved one
    These ideas borrowed from here.

Did you notice what word all those reasons had in common?  Love.  Love is what motivates gift-giving.

As we are surveying the cross, we quickly realize what an extravagant gift of love it is.  It is a gift.  We could do nothing to earn it.  We can never repay it.  And yet, we feel compelled to respond.

Watts helps us to realize in these first two lines that no response can possibly be adequate, a true recompense for what we have received.  God already knows that to be true.  Instead of considering what we can not offer or do in response, Watts finishes this stanza by helping us consider what we can offer to God for the love He has first shown to us.  More on that Thursday.  Hint: It all comes down to love, His and ours.

Until then, please enter into the experience of the video below which will help you contemplate your response.

Father, thank You for Your extravagant gift of love.  Jesus, thank You for obeying the Father so Your sacrifice could become the greatest expression of love that ever was.  Holy Spirit, thank You for opening my eyes to not only see the cross, but also the wonder it displays.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Like what you finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Below is content normally available only to Subscribers.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here, or the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the Subscribers content, click here.

Everyone, please enjoy this video log the transcript below!

Video 4.4 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
  That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
  Demands my soul, my life, my all.

In conclusion the songwriter considers the appropriate response to the redemption afforded by Jesus sacrifice on the cross.  There is no one we could ever repay the debt of love we owe to Jesus. Thank Him that you do not have to.

The text concludes by declaring that even if I had all creation to offer as a response to Jesus, it would simply not be enough.  But thankfully you do not need to repay it, for it was a gift. Take a moment and receive that gift of grace again today.

And yet there is the reality that even though we are not trying to repay Jesus for His grace, we are compelled to offer some response for His amazing, divine love.  A love only God could offer. Thank Him for His love expressed on the cross.

My soul, my life, my all.  Still not enough to repay Jesus, but since it is all I have I will offer it to Him willingly.  He does not demand it, but the sheer extravagance of His grace compels us to do so. Ask Him to show you what your “all” looks like today.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

Image Attributions
The Kingdom of the Created – Pixabay
Whole Realm of Nature – Pixabay
Present Far Too Small – Pixabay

by 2 Comments

Like Him? Like Him!

Exalted Head

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
  Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
  Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read.  This is a nice instrumental ambient version.

On Tuesday we tuned our hearts with the wonder of what is in store for us one day we soar into the skies to join our Resurrected King!  Today we are going to think again about how He accomplished that, and what the implications of that are for us.  Glad you could join us as we ponder these things.

Exalted Head

When we go soaring on high we will do so by following our “exalted head”.  There are a number of things that come to mind with these words.  The first to ponder I believe is what does it mean by saying Christ is our head.  Next how exactly He earned that exalted position.  Finally, how we will follow.

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18 ESV 

Jesus was the firstborn from among the dead, but many more will follow His lead.  Those who will follow are His church, His blood-bought bride. They are the ones who are trusting Christ’s work to make us right with the Father.  He is our Head, and we His body will follow Him, just like every body follows wherever its head goes.  He has ascended to the Father, and so shall we.

But that right to ascend was not easily acquired, even though He had willingly and voluntarily laid down His glory to become one of us and perfectly obey the Father.  When I think of Christ as head, my mind often goes to this translation of an old German hymn.  It alludes to the glory He had laid down to walk among us, “once…bright as morn!”

O Sacred Head

O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!
Anonymous

That self-sacrifice not only paved the way for Christ’s exaltation, but shows us our path to follow as well.  We must be willing to lay down our lives and take up our cross just like Jesus. This is what it means to follow our exalted Head.  Though we will not be offered as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, we must follow His example to deny our selves that we may fully pursue the path our Father has marked out for us.

Like Him

When there is repetition in any form of literature the author is always emphasizing something.   It is a very deliberate choice to repeat the words “like Him” in this line.  “Made like Him, like Him we rise.”  Colossians 3:1, 4 puts it like this.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God…When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Made Like Him

Since we have been made like Him in His resurrection, we will rise as He did, not only from the dead, but also on high to join Him in glory.  As the last line says, “Our the cross, the grave, the skies”.  We are made like Him so when He appears we will appear with Him in glory.  What an incredible promise!  But with it comes an exhortation to “seek the things that are above”.

So often we get mired in daily living, the rudiments of our earthly existence, that we forget we have something coming that far surpasses the best of these days.  We must daily remind ourselves to “seek the things that are above”.  How do we do that?  By setting on mind on them, and allowing the reality of them to shape not only our thoughts but our behavior as well.

Reflect on the fact that you are made like Him, but acknowledge you would like to be more even more like Him.  Then ask Jesus to show you today how you can practice that.

Jesus, thank You for making me like You.  I know that I am a work in progress, but I welcome Your transforming power into my life today.  Show me how I can be more like you today, even as I long to “appear with you in glory” one day.  In Jesus name.   Amen.

Deliberate Thinking!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Below is content available only to Subscribers.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here.  Or check out some samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and lots of options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Subscribers enjoy this podcast! Everyone else, the transcript below.

Podcast 5.4 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!

Acts 1:9 ESV

And when (Jesus)  had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

This account is from the Ascension of Christ, when He was taken up into glory.  After His resurrection Jesus appeared to His disciples many times, but this was the final time.  He led the way and one day we will join Him. What if were today? Are you ready?

 Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Colossians 1:18 ESV

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

He was the firstborn from among the dead, but many more will follow.  Who are they? His church, His blood-bought bride. All who are trusting Christ’s work to make us right with the Father.  He is our Head, and we His body will follow Him. Are you following Him today?

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Colossians 3:1, 4 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God…When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Our having been raised with Christ, enables us to be made like Him in resurrection glory.  Being made like Him ensures that we will appear with Him in glory. The wonders that await us are beyond comprehension.  Thank Him for making you like Him.

 Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

So let’s keep our eyes on Jesus.  That makes it much easier to follow Him, and since we want the skies, like Him, we must take up our cross and die to ourselves, so we can live for Him.  Ask Him to help you take up your cross today and die to sin.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more.

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
  Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
  Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Exalted Head – https://gfycat.com/speedyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5QgWH5GY1Uweakchrysalis
O Sacred Head – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/326370304240768829/?lp=true
Made Like Him – https://gfycat.com/speedyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/easter/three-reasons-the-resurrection-is-important-today.html

by Leave a Comment

Now and Not Yet

Soar We Now

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
  Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
  Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read.  This is a nice instrumental ambient version.

Make certain you check out the video log below!

The  first and last lines give us the opportunity to consider an interesting tension between the standing and experience of every believer.  It is this simultaneous nature of the now and not yet that exist in our relationship with God, at least from our perspective.  Take a few minutes and enter into the reality of this tension today.

Soar

Beautiful Clouds

First, let’s deal with this whole idea of soaring…

And when (Jesus)  had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Acts 1:9 ESV

It is very difficult for me to imagine what that moment must have been like for those disciples as they stood on that hill and witnesses Christ’s Ascension into heaven.  I try to place myself in that moment.  Those final words of instruction and inspiration.  The goodbyes.  The emotions.  The tears.

But another moment is like it, both in the wonder of it and my inability to imagine it. One day we will soar with Christ!  And not just in a poetic sense, but at the very least in an other-worldly, hard to imagine what it will really be like, enjoying the Kingdom of God in all it’s fulness kind of way.  It will be so unlike our current existence that I am certain I do not have the capacity to conceive of it, yet I fully believe it will be true.

Why?  Because I believe the chronology of the last line is equally true.

Cross, Grave, Skies

Cross Grave Skies

Second, let’s consider our path…

Jesus commands us to take up our cross daily in Luke 9:23.  While this invitation certainly is declaring His path of self-denial, we vicariously experience each of this things through Christ’s obedience to the Father.  In the next few verses Jesus talks about losing our lives for His sake, and goes on to allude to the opportunity to share in the glory of the Father if we embrace His teaching and way of life.  Cross, death, glory looks a lot like cross, grave, skies.

And while our path will not be exactly like that of Jesus because we do not have to actually be crucified for the sins of the world because He already did that, our journey will have similar elements to it.  Embracing the Father’s will and dying to ourselves that we might enjoy the benefits of those decisions.

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Time and Eternity

If we are going to follow Jesus, we are inspired to go all the way so we may share in all that Paul alludes to when he says this in Ephesians 2:6-7.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,  in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

What Christ accomplished in His crucifixion, death and resurrection is so certain that though it happened in the past, it is as if it has already happened in the future as far as God is concerned.  Not only is this true because God’s will is such a definite thing, but there is another way that I like to think about it.

Time Versus Infinity

We are bound by time so what has not yet happened is impossible for us to experience.  The same can not be said of God.  Because He is eternal there is a sense in which everything is happening all at once for Him: creation, redemption and the re-creation, everything.  It other words, for God everything is now.  I like to refer to Him as the “Great Eternal NOW”!

For Him there is no such thing as not yet, because it is all now.  For us there is a sense of not yet, because we are not soaring and neither the skies, or the grave for that matter, are ours yet. So, there is a sense in which our soaring is both now and not yet because for God it is now, and for us it is not yet.

What I hope is the result of imagining this is a deeper longing for the eternal perspective of things because I believe that shapes how we choose to live today, since eternity for us has already begun, even though we wrestle to grasp it.

Happy Tuning!

Jesus, thank You for accomplishing something in time that has changed eternity for me.  Thank You that not only are the cross and the grave mine, but so shall the skies be.  I believe I will soar.  Help me live today like that is true, since it is.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Like what you finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Below is content normally only available to Subscribers and Free Members.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here, or the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the Subscribers content, click here.

Everyone, please enjoy this video log usually only available to Subscribers and sometimes to Free Members,  as well as the transcript below.

Video 5.4 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
  Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
  Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

After appearing many times to His disciples after His resurrection, Jesus’ final appearance culminated with a grand exit.  He ascended into the clouds, and in so doing led the way for us. Thank Him that one day you will follow Him, and soar to realms on high.  

We are the Church, and Christ is our Leader, or Head.  Where He goes, we will follow. That will never be more true than when He calls us home, either from our final resting place or our daily living.  Are you ready to hear your name called? If so, praise Him! If not, why not?

Jesus rose in Resurrection glory.  Whether we rise from a grave like Him or simply leave earth behind, we will be made like Him.  Though our flesh is destined to decay, we will be raised incorruptible. Let that overwhelm your heart even now.

He taught us to take up our cross, and we struggle to learn to deny ourselves daily.  If He does not come back first, some of us may face the reality of the grave. Even still, all of us will follow Him into the clouds, the culmination of following His example. Ask Him to help you be ready.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

Image Attribution
Soar We Now – https://gfycat.com/speedyweakchrysalis
Beautiful Clouds – https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1014231293-beautiful-clouds-soar-across-sky
Cross Grave Skies – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/457256168391714578/?lp=true
Time Versus Infinity – https://www.pinkcatshop.com/decor343-infinite-spiral-wall-clock.html

by Leave a Comment

Stay Down! Ok, Get Up.

Keys of Death and Hades

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
  Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
  Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read.  This is a neat orchestral karaoke version.

On Tuesday we considered how Christ finished the work the Father had given Him to do thus opening paradise.  He did this by defeating death.  Today we are going to think about a couple ways that defeat is described in lines 2 and 3 of this stanza.

What Battle?

Descended into…

The hymn alludes to a battle, so you may wonder what battle is it talking about?  Some have likened this to the idea that Christ descended into hell, which is expressed in some versions of the Apostles Creed with the words “he descended into hell.”  There are a few different Scriptures that can be interpreted to support this, but none of them explicitly state this, so it is a bit of a stretch.

One other way of making sense of the line in the creed is to acknowledge there were different versions, some not including this line.  Some newer versions substitute dead for hell, which is probably a more accurate acknowledgement of the fact that in the ancient world Hades was often equated with the grave, rather than hell.

For all this controversy, there is no debate among Christians as to whether Jesus descended into the grave.  It is clearly described in a number of the gospel accounts, and helps to clear up the possible confusion.  Either way, it is widely accepted that Jesus defeated death based on a number of different verses, not the least of which are Jesus’ own words.

[The Son of Man] laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”  Revelation 1:17b-18 ESV

Arm Wrestling

In these verses, John has a vision of Jesus as the Son of Man.  Jesus declares He died, but is alive forever, and that overcoming death has earned Him the keys of Death and Hades.  

I think of it like arm wrestling.  Jesus fought Death for the right to have final authority over Death.  Jesus won the match or battle, so He gets to keep the keys, saying effectively who comes and goes.  You can not take someone’s keys unless you have authority over them.  

Thank Jesus for winning that battle.

Stay Down!  Ok, Get Up.

Jesus demonstrates His victory over death through His resurrection.  Can you imagine what that must have been like?  For a couple days Death thought it had won.  Then on the third day, there was an earthquake and everything changed.  It is as if Death tried to tell him, “Stay down!”, until it realized it had no dominion over Him, so it conceded with “Ok, get up.”

He did die, but now He lives.  I like how these verses say it with the double doubles of “he died he died” and “he lives he lives.”

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.  For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. Romans 6:9-10 ESV

We are invited into a similar transaction, dying to sin and living to God.  As we enter into that activity by faith, we ensure that Death will have no dominion over us either.  Like Christ, we may very well descend into a grave, but also like Him we will leave it behind one day.

Thank Jesus for making that possible.

Alleluia!

Jesus, thank You for fighting the fight and winning the battle with death.  Thank You for demonstrating your victory by rising to life, and giving me the hope I will as well, even if I die.  Until then, may Your resurrection power be at work in me helping me to live for Your glory.  In Jesus name.   Amen.

Grateful Thinking!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Below is content available only to Subscribers.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here.  Or check out some samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and lots of options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Subscribers enjoy this podcast! Everyone else, the transcript below.

Podcast 5.3 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

John 19:28, 30 ESV

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”… When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus went to the cross out of love and obedience to the Father.  He went there to redeem us by offering His life as a perfect sacrifice.  He finished His work. Give Him praise!

 Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Revelation 1:17b-18 ESV

[The Son of Man] laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

John has a vision of Jesus as the Son of Man.  Jesus declares He died, but is alive forever, and that overcoming death has earned Him the keys of Death and Hades.  You can not take someone’s keys unless you have authority over them. Thank Jesus for winning that battle.

Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!

Romans 6:9-10 ESV

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.  For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.

Death no longer has dominion over Him.  His life was not taken from Him, instead He willingly laid it down, then took it up again.  He rose to life and invites us into that life. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live your life to God, like Jesus, our Risen Lord.

 Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Luke 23:42-43 ESV

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

One thief on the cross beside Jesus chose to acknowledge Him for who He was by rebuking the other thief, and followed it with a simple request, remember me.  Christ has opened paradise to all who will acknowledge Him for who He is. How can you acknowledge Him today? Not sure? Ask Him to show you.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more.

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
  Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
  Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Keys of Death and Hades – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SMPOf55v3c
Descended into… – https://avondhupress.ie/easter-celebrates-undying-flame-life/empty-tomb-of-jesus-at-night/
Arm Wrestling – http://www.rulesofsport.com/sports/arm-wrestling.html

by Leave a Comment

Work Done, Paradise Open

Love’s Redeeming Work

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
  Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
  Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read.  This is a neat orchestral karaoke version.

The  first and last lines of this weeks stanza allude to a couple of Jesus’ last words from the cross.  He speaks a promise to a thief, and then quietly declares His work is done before taking his last breath.  Both of these “words” or phrases evoke a response in our hearts if we will let them.  Will you let them?

Finished

It is Finished

Jesus…said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  John 19:30

Finished means complete or perfect in all details, as in a product.  The work the Father had for Jesus to do, “Love’s redeeming work”, was done.  Several times earlier in the book of John Jesus had referred to finishing the work the Father had for Him, using this same word translated finished.  He completed that cycle when He declared “It is finished”.

His sacrificial death satisfied the wrath of God.  As we considered a few entries ago, sin has a consequence.  Death.  Jesus paid in full the debt we owed to a Holy God.  Sin had to be atoned, and Jesus did just that.  He redeemed us, purchasing our forgiveness at a great price when He said, “It is finished.”

I wonder if the devil might have been confused thinking Jesus had misspoke.  Notice He did not say, “I am finished”.

I wonder how often we find ourselves confused thinking there is still something we need to do to finish our salvation.  There is nothing more we need to do.

Let me be clear.  Jesus still had to leave the tomb empty to demonstrate His victory over sin, death and the grave.  The unleashing of His resurrection power for all who believe had not yet occurred, but Love’s redeeming work was done.  He opened paradise, but before we consider the effect of His sacrifice, allow you heart to revel in the juxtaposition of these two extremes: death and life, suffering and paradise.

His going to Golgatha, while it purchased our access to paradise, was the antithesis of it.  This is the connection between these two.  So, once again, Jesus brings together two very disparate things.  Take a few moments and let the wonder of that sink deeply into your heart.   He took what we deserved to give us what we could not earn.

Paradise

Christ and the Thief on the Cross

(Jesus) said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”  Luke 23:43

What do think the thief on the cross felt when Jesus spoke those words to him?  I wonder what paradise would have meant to him?  Anything would be better than the anguish he was experiencing on the cross, but paradise?  I have a feeling he took Jesus at His word.  Was is that sometimes so hard for us to do?

How does the word paradise make you feel?  What words would describe those feelings?

  • Joy
  • Peace
  • Hope
  • Light
  • Relief
  • Security
  • Safety
  • Beauty

Our answers would probably be about as different as you could imagine because we would likely each define paradise very differently.  When you try to imagine paradise what comes to mind? Does it have some of the elements of this beautiful image?

Stairway to Heaven

This is actually a Thomas Kinkade work titled “Stairway to Paradise”.  I like some of the elements here.

  • the light
  • nature
  • the warmth
  • the mist

The most obvious thing it is missing is people.  I suppose you can imagine they are just out of view, but the idea of paradise without others to enjoy it makes it something less, even for introverts like me.  This is especially true for the Christian, which I suppose would describe the thief as well, since the very presence of Christ is the essential figure that makes any place a paradise.  After all, Jesus told the thief he would be with Him in paradise.

We should find great comfort in that we can not only face death knowing it has no dominion over Jesus, but that when we die we will be with Him, like the thief.  We can say with Paul,

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 5:8

Alleluia!

Happy Tuning!

Jesus, thank You for completing the work the Father gave you to do.  Thank You for opening paradise for all who believe in You.  Help my hear to believe that Your work is finished and paradise is mine, today.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Like what you finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Below is content available only to Subscribers Free Members.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here, or the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the Subscribers content, click here.

Subscribers, please enjoy this video log!  And everyone else the transcript below.

Video 5.3 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
  Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
  Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Before He breathed His last Jesus said, “It is finished.”  He came to seek and save the lost, and with His death He completed that work.  You are redeemed because you are loved. Marvel at His gift of love today.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, as in anguish He sweat drops of blood, Jesus asked His Father “Let this cup pass from me. Yet not my will but Yours be done.”  In His surrender, He was victorious. How can you follow His lead today?

What a shock Death must have had on that Resurrection morning when Jesus rose to life.  Death tried, but could not hold Him down. Accordingly, Death will be equally unsuccessful with you.  Give Jesus praise for completing His Father’s assignment so powerfully.

One of the those who hung with Him on Calvary acknowledged who Jesus was and asked to be remembered when Christ would come into His kingdom.  Jesus rewarded his belief by responding, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” That promise echoes in every heart of faith. Listen, can you hear it?

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

Image Attribution
1 Love’s Redeeming Work – https://www.josephprince.org/blog/articles/the-passion-of-the-christwhy
2 It is Finished – https://thisissalvation.com/the-story
3 Christ and the Thief on the Cross – https://thereforegodexists.com/5-truths-we-can-learn-from-the-thief-on-the-cross/
4 Stairway to Paradise – https://thomaskinkade.com/shop/limited-edition-art/stairway-to-paradise-limited-edition-art/

Connect With Us

Tuesday Tunings LLC
E: support@resonant7.com