2002-01-01
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Yesterday I spoke about the section of the “Messiah” in which it is prophesied that a Messiah will come to establish peace on earth. That is the understanding which traditional Jews have of this event. Christians and Jewish believers in Christ are blessed enough to know Who that Messiah is. We believe He is Jesus Christ. The next section of the Lenten portion of Handel’s “Messiah” reveals the nature of mankind by how the message is received.
PS 2 is David’s song about God’s chosen King. In the future, I hope to write some messages about this entire Psalm and about IS 53, but for now, let me cite the verses upon which Handel bases the next section of this great musical work. PS 2: 1-2, “Why do the nations plan rebellion? Why do people make their useless plots? Their kings revolt, their rulers plot together against the Lord and against the King He chose.” We all know that David lived long before Christ, and IS 11: 1 tells us that this new King will be a descendant of David. So, these verses are clearly prophetic in telling that the King will be rebelled against and rejected. The questions they ask go right to the very sinful nature of mankind without faith. Without the grace that comes from faith in Christ, it is natural for man to sin. He has no choice, because he was born into a law economy and is the bearer of sin inherited from Adam. It is only after repentance and acceptance of Christ that a person is released from sin’s control over his life [see RO 6: 6].
It is with these questions in mind that the # 40 air for bass is sung, “Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage Together?” The actual words sung are: “Why do the nations so furiously rage together? Why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of earth rise up; and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed.” The book of Daniel allows us to see beyond the obvious prophecy of Christ’s rejection and the people’s refusal at the time of his arrest, trial, and crucifixion to recognize His deity. DN 2, the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s giant statue dream and its interpretation by the prophet, Daniel, gives us a view of the entire sweep of human history. The different materials out of which this statue is made represent man-made empires, all of which are temporary and each of which is brought down by the imposition of the next human culture’s will. It is only when the statue is struck by a huge rock not loosened by human hands that we see what represents the final Kingdom, that of the Lord that will cause the others to crumble and will replace them lasting forever. The point of this is for us to see the futility and wastefulness of man’s rebellion, of the nations raging together in their rejection of God and His Son.
The next section offers the solution to this problem. PS 2: 3, “ ‘Let us free ourselves from their [rulers of this world] rule,’ they say. ‘Let us throw off their control.’ “ PS 110: 1, “The Lord [God] said to my Lord [Christ], ‘ Sit here at My right side until I put Your enemies under Your feet.’ “ In looking at these two verses, God’s sovereign power is clear. No other entity has the power to do this or to choose the time when it is to be accomplished. Peter recognized the importance of this message, which is why he quoted this same verse in AC 2: 35, a part of his message to the people at the Pentecost. Deeper inspection of these citations bring up the subject of God’s sovereign right to call people and choose them to come to faith. We don’t know which people God knows will come to faith, so that makes spreading the Gospel to as many as possible a critical issue. God’s omniscience also allows Him to know which ones will reject Christ, something we are not to know. Thus, it is clear that this latter group are the enemies who will be put “as a footstool under Christ’s feet.” The chorus with this in mind then sings #41, “Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder” with these words: “Let us break bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.” That is followed by the tenor soloist singing a recitative, # 42, with these words: “He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision.”
More of God’s sovereignty can be seen in PS 2: 9, You will break them with an iron rod; You will shatter them in pieces like a clay pot.” These words should give all of us who share faith in Christ great comfort. They are telling us that God and His Son are supreme over any human rulers and their empires built on greed. Anyone who has studied history knows that the foibles of mankind have led to untold suffering. Any of us can name fallen governments and human experiments that have caused this and failed in the past. The giant statue in Daniel’s dream mentioned above is shattered, its dust is carried away by the wind. Only God through Jesus Christ has the power to bring this about. Our knowledge of God tells us that He will see to the protection of His own people. We who are His people will be protected from horrible fate. Our faith in Jesus Christ gives us victory over spiritual death. Thus, the tenor sings his #43 air, “Thou Shalt Break Them.” Here are the words sung: “Thou shalt break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron. “
PRAYER: O Lord, the question is asked why mankind is rebellious, and the only answer is that by nature man labors in unbelief. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, You provide us for a remedy from sin’s power over us. His blood shed on the cross makes the way open for salvation from evil. Through the Holy Spirit You teach us to recognize Your supreme sovereignty and its ultimate righteousness. Through the Scriptures, prayer, our congregations, and our circumstances You prove to us over and over again that we can and should trust in You. By obeying Your commands, we show our love for You, and You grant us protection from the evils of this world. Through Jesus Christ, we have victory over second death. You deserve our eternal praise, adoration, worship, loyalty, and obedience for all that You do for us, even though we are undeserving. In Christ’s name, amen.
Take comfort, Dear Ones, in knowing that our Lord has the power to erase the horrible consequences to our lives of evil rulers of this world. Even something so unthinkable as the Holocaust cannot bar those persecuted from coming to faith and having victory over second death because of Jesus Christ. Our God is awesome in His compassion and powerful enough to overcome the evil of men. With enduring in our faith, we can look forward to an eternal life of peace and contentment with the Lord Who loves us. Peter and I also send you our love.
Grace, Peace, and Love Be Yours,
Lynn