Friday, May 12, 2006
Job 19:25-27 "I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"
PRESENT TENSE
I often wonder what my English teachers thought back when I was in school. I had a pretty good idea from the grades I earned. Perhaps they might be surprised to see now that I actually did learn the lessons they taught, or at least enough to speak of grammar without any great embarrassment.
The reason I bring this up is because not only in the hymn "I Know That My Redeemer Lives", but in Scripture we find the present tense used to speak of Jesus following His crucifixion. George Washington lived in the late 1700s. Martin Luther lived from 1483-1546. So we could go down the list of individuals and we would use the past tense. They are no longer alive. They are no longer breathing. This is not true of Jesus, my Redeemer! He lives! Present tense.
Yes, He died. Yes, He lived here on earth as a humble servant to win our salvation. We do not say, nor does Scripture, that Jesus lived from 0AD - 33AD as though He lives no more. He rose! The disciples were not sure. Jesus showed them His hands and feet. He ate with them. He was not a spirit. He lives.
He still lives in the present world. Yes, He ascended into heaven, yet He is here, the same risen Savior whom the disciples saw after His resurrection. We do not see Him with our physical eyes, but He is here, as He said, "I am with you always." I know that my Redeemer lives!
