Two weeks ago we embarked upon a reflection of one of the most important songs in the history of the Christian faith: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
The lyrics beautifully weave together the Old and New Testaments, telling the story of our Messiah, “the chosen One”—who would come to deliver his people from the consequences of their sins and establish his kingdom forever [1].
As noted before, the unknown lyricist carefully based each stanza on scripture. You’ll find references for further reflection listed at the end of this post.
Today we turn our attention to verses four and five [2]:
VERSE 4
I praise you, Lord Jesus, for fulfilling all the Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament—at least 300 of them (!), proclaimed long before your birth. The one referenced here offers such glorious hope, as I’m reminded that:
Jesse was the father of King David, and the prophet Jeremiah foretold you’d be a descendant of this king, a man loyal to the Lord. But as the centuries passed, the nation of Judah turned their backs on God. Again and again he urged them to return to him [3].
Isaiah (another prophet) painted a word picture of the events that would occur. He compared the kingdom of Judah and the throne of David’s descendants to a tree that would be cut down. All that would remain would be a stump–a remnant of the people [4].
Eleven years later, events unfolded just as Isaiah and four others prophets had foretold. Jehoiachin, the last legitimate king of Judah, was removed from his throne by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar.
Thousands of Judeans were taken captive so they’d see the error of their ways, seek forgiveness, and follow God once again [5].
But I praise you, Lord Jesus, that Isaiah’s word picture didn’t end there. He proclaimed that out of that hopeless, rotting stump would come a strong sapling.
Six centuries later, you came to earth, the only Righteous One of God, fulfilling that prophecy [6].
Not only were you from the lineage of David on your earthly father Joseph’s side, but also on your mother Mary’s side. This fulfilled the prophecies proclaiming you are the descendant of David that the Jewish people longed for: their Messiah [7].
I praise you, Lord Jesus, for coming to save your people–Jews and Gentiles alike. Because of your great mercy, you rescued me from the specter of hell, taking the punishment I deserved.
And now, the grave has no power over anyone who acknowledges you as their Rescuer [8]!
VERSE 5
I praise you, Lord Jesus, for possessing the Key of David. That’s significant because a key indicates authority over a domain.
King David was given authority to rule over all Israel; you rule over all mankind. In fact, God has seated you at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, all power and dominion [9].
Out of your magnificence and perfection, you’ve prepared heaven for your people—a place of utter tranquility, blissful and continual joy, eternal and lavish love—beyond what we can imagine.
I praise you, Lord Jesus! You’ve opened wide the gates of heaven; you hold open the door of opportunity for all to enter [10].
As you’ve promised, one day you’ll return and take your children home along “the heavenward road.” Then you will shut the door upon death once and for all [11].
REFRAIN
In all of this and more I REJOICE! You are my Rescuer, saving me from the greatest enemy of all: death.
I praise You, Lord Jesus, for graciously providing the way heavenward. I REJOICE in you, my Savior, my Lord, my King!
[1] Ace Collins, Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas,127; Isaiah 59:20; John 1:40-49; Romans 6:23; Revelation 11:15.
[2] From www.hymnary.org. (Lyrics vary depending on the source.)
[3] Jeremiah 23:5; 1 Samuel 13:14; Isaiah 3:8-9; 55:7
[4] Isaiah 11:1, 10
[5] 2 Kings 24:8-17; 25:21; Isaiah 55:7; Joel 2:12-13
[6] Acts 22:14; 3:18
[7] Matthew 1; Luke 3; Jeremiah 23:5-6
[8] Psalm 86:13 GW; 56:13; Ephesians 1:17; Romans 8:11
[9] Revelation 3:17; Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20—22
[10] Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:7
[11] John 14:1-3; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 21:4
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