Song based on Psalm 23
Good Tidings from Heaven
Christ Died For Us
The first man Adam died, the oldest man Methuselah died, the wisest man Solomon died, the meekest man Moses died. Patriarchs, prophets, princes, princesses, prime ministers, presidents, politicians, philosophers, peasants and paupers all die. The mighty Pharaohs passed away, the conquering emperors of Rome had to succumb to this mighty foe, Alexander the Great could not withstand the onslaught of death. The rich, the poor, the famous, the unknown, the wise and unwise, the religious and the heathen, the terrorist and the law abiding alike must fall beneath its cruel stroke.
Power, position, prestige or possessions cannot halt the onward march of this terrifying adversary. It cannot be bribed or persuaded to bypass us. No tears, laments, pleadings or threats can affect this unfeeling, uncaring, unsmiling enemy of all humanity.
It needs no passport or visa, it crosses all national, geographical, social and political boundaries. It enters the palace as well as the hovel, it takes the best as well as the worst, it robs the family of a cherished mother, it carries away the much needed breadwinner and often it steals the darling sons and daughters from their grieving parents. It severs the tenderest ties on earth without an apology. It does its dreadful work and departs without a tear or a backward look to see the sadness it has inflicted.
In spite of staggering advances in science, medicine and technology, the words of the wise woman of Tekoah are still alarmingly true, “… we must all needs die …” 1Samuel 14.14. Likewise the Scriptures state with uncompromising confidence, “… it is appointed unto men, once to die, but after this the judgment” Hebrews 9.27. We are totally powerless to change this sobering fact and as with every generation that has passed, it can be said with certainty of every generation to come, that they too will everyone be added to the ever growing statistics of death’s conquests.
You see, death is the inevitable consequence of sin and because we are all sinners, we must all die. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” Romans 5.12. Again, in Romans 6.23 we read “For the wages of sin is death …”. In James 1.15 we read “… and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
But in the Scriptures we repeatedly read that “Christ died …”. Was He not sinless and incapable of sinning? Death surely had no claim upon Him. His death was like no other. That was the very purpose for which He came into the world; “… that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man” Hebrews 2.9; “… that through death He might destroy him that had [has] the power of death, … and deliver them who through fear of death, were … subject to bondage” Hebrews 2.14,15. He did not die of disease, decay or debility. He was the only Person against Whom death had absolutely no power.
Why then did Christ die? Allow the Scriptures to provide the wondrous answer. “… Christ died for the ungodly” Romans 5.6. “… Christ died for us” Romans 5.8. “… Christ died for our sins…” 1Corinthians 15.3. In the words of Mrs. Alexander’s hymn we affirm “He died that we might be forgiven, He died to make us good, that we might go at last to heaven, Saved by His precious blood.” Trust Him, my friend and death will hold no dread nor will you fear the eternal judgment for all who die in unbelief.
The above article has been posted with special permission from Assembly testimony magazine. The original article can be obtained over here
