Christmas 2024: December 3

It goes without saying that most of today's contemporary "pop" music lacks the substance and theological depth to transcend time, and for that reason (among others), it is shelved almost as quickly as it's produced. Musical style alone can't carry a song for much more than a decade (does anyone still think anything that came out of the '90's is "cool!?"). However, there was once a day when the greatest hymn writers were not even musicians, at least not in the professional sense. They were theologians, and their lyrics came out of a deep well, informed by the Word of God. They communicated timeless truths. That's why when Ambrose wrote "Come, Redeemer of the Nations" (the hymn from December 1), it would inspire another theologian, Martin Luther, 1,000 years later. It was a beautiful hymn, but "Come, Redeemer of the Nations" didn't translate well into German. So, Luther simply wrote a new hymn, closely following Ambrose' thought, defending the humanity and deity of Christ for the Christmas of 1523, exactly 500 years ago.

There are several English versions today, first translated by William Reynolds in 1851 (it is Reynold's translation below). The melody, Zahn 1174, was also composed by Luther, but was later popularized by Johann Sebastian Bach. It soon became the most prominent hymn in Protestant churches, traditionally sung on the first Sunday of Advent for several centuries.

This powerful hymn is a powerful statement of affirmation of the Trinity: one God in three Persons, and a bold declaration of the true gospel message, just as our passage today in John 12:44-50 - a passage that marks the culmination of Jesus' public ministry in the gospel of John. They summarize His mission and reveal His Divine nature as one with the Father (a consistent theme throughout the gospel of John). "He who sees Me, sees the One who sent Me" (vs. 45). However, although Jesus' words are deeply theological, they are personal, invitational, and confrontational. They provide words of assurance and warning to each of us.

Christ is the Light of the World, but as we were reminded of yesterday from John 3, the Light dispels the darkness of sin and depravity that plague humanity. To reject Him is to abide in darkness and judgment, but Christ came to save, and His message is a message of glad tidings and great joy. Having said that, Jesus is both Savior and Judge and though His words give eternal life, believing them is not an option. It is a command to be obeyed. To reject Christ is to reject the Father, but in His Divine wisdom, it was the Father's good pleasure to offer redemption to mankind through Jesus Christ. Therefore, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).