Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Angels, from the Realms of Glory
By: James Montgomery, 1771-1854 (1816)
Listen to this simple piano version as you read, or watch the video complete with lyrics then read. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone. Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here. Or check out some other 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!!
Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
Jesus, King of the Nations
I have this beautiful print hanging in my study. As a pastor in a denomination where missions is our middle name, this keeps before me the purpose of our worship, to usher the nations into the throng that Jesus is gathering to Himself through our labors of making disciples. We make much of Jesus for two reasons.
- He alone is worthy to be praised.
- He is calling all the nations to bow down before Him.
So let’s spend a couple moments on those two things as we begin a New Year of worshipping Jesus.
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation…” Revelation 5:9b ESV
Worthy. John the Revelator shares his vision of heaven and hears this song sung by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders around the throne. Because of His finished work in the cross Jesus is able to open the scrolls revealing God’s will for the end of days, part of which is to gather His blood-bought children from every nation.
Worthy. John the Baptist declared at the beginning on His ministry of Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” [John 1:29] He was slain as the sacrifice for our sins. His blood ransomed us from our sins and made people for God, all who trust in Jesus. No one else could have done that but Jesus.
Worthy. Does your life reflect this? How were you in 2019 at declaring the worthiness of your King to a watching world? It is good to reflect on that, but also to embrace a new beginning. This year is fresh and filled with endless opportunities to show and tell just how worthy Jesus is of our praise, and the praises of all the nations He is gathering.
Will you commit to keeping your eyes, ears and heart open to seize those opportunities as they come?
Have you any part in getting the gospel to them?
Then Bow Down
This is a very powerful image to me. First because it allows me to imagine Jesus wearing that coat of many colors representing His Lordship over the nations from above. Second because it pictures the countless multitude bowing down before Him. Third because we are all similar in our robes washed white by the blood of the of the Lamb.
Let’s think about this.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 ESV
He is exalted. There is simply no one like Jesus. His is the name above every name. I must reflect this in my life daily. I must find ways to demonstrate this, in giving, praying and going. It is not just an idea. I must find ways to express the reality of this in my life. How will you declare this truth with your life this week as we begin a New Year? How will you intentionally invite the Spirit to exalt Jesus regularly this year?
Every knee, every tongue. Though placing faith in Jesus seems optional now, it will not be on that day pictured here. There will be none who fail to bow. Still the greatest treasure remains for those who choose to worship Christ now by humbling themselves before Him. When you bow on that day will it be a new activity for you or one with which you are well-accustomed? Will you bow your knee to Him today, then repeat it everyday? That posture prepares you heart to use your tongue for His glory.
To the glory of God. What Jesus has accomplished in bringing this vast array of worshippers before the Father Almighty will truly bring great glory to God! Are you longing for that day? Is it because you want to see the impact your giving and praying actually made, or because you simply look forward to enjoying what Christ made available through your faith in Him? What will you do in 2020 to be a part of taking the gospel of Jesus to those who have yet to hear? Will you give? Will you pray? Will you go or send? Be a part of seeing God’s work completed by doing your part.
These are some big questions to ponder as we begin a New Year. May your resolutions reflect your preoccupation on Jesus Christ and His work in and through you in 2020. Happy New Year my friends!
Jesus, thank You for making a way to gather all the nations to you, including me. As I begin another year, help me to live with a constant awareness of Your presence, committed to helping others see how worthy You are. Help me also find some way to be a part of helping some of those who see be from the nations, whether through giving, praying or maybe even going. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Clear 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.
Podcast 12.5 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.
Though an Infant now we view Him,
Luke 2:7 ESV
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Jesus came the first time as the baby in the manger, Emmanuel, God with us, but no room was made for Him at the inn in Bethlehem. When He returns the Father will inquire what we did with the gift of His Son. Are you ready with your answer? Does your life line up with your lips?
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Matthew 25:31 ESV
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.”
When Jesus comes the second time He will not be seeking a place to sleep but establishing a kingdom to reign. He will fill His Father’s throne and His reign will be without end. Many worship the Christ of the manger, but do you exalt King Jesus on His throne?
Gather all the nations to Him;
Revelation 5:9b ESV
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,”
Here is the song sung by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders around the throne. Because of His finished work on the cross Jesus is able to gather His blood-bought children from every nation. Have you any part in getting the gospel to them?
Every knee shall then bow down:
Philippians 2:9-11 ESV
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Every knee will bow. Still, the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose to worship Him now. Ask the Spirit to make such activity a regular part of your life.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more.
Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, be Resonant.
The post Saints Teach Us How to Wait appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Gather All the Nations – https://sandistatondigitaldesigns.com/2013/08/10/a-coat-of-many-colors/
Every Knee Shall Bow – https://www.lordsart.com/evknshbowbyj.html
Leave a Reply