Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Job 19:25 I know that my Redeemer lives!
A TIMELESS TRUTH
I know that my Redeemer lives! When we speak these words we are brought to the joy of the empty tomb. We join the women who heard with amazement the glad good news: "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!" (Luke 24:5-6).
This is the joy of Easter. He who died for us has risen again. Living in the time of fulfillment -- when all these things which God promised have come to pass -- many fail to realize that our Redeemer, whose death gave hope of life to the patriarchs of old, was also looked upon by the patriarchs as their risen and everliving Savior.
The truth of Jesus' resurrection is not a new truth, but one that was part and parcel of God's plan from the beginning. It was a truth clung to in faith by those who have gone before us.
It is for this reason that the words of the Old Testament believer, Job, are so precious to us. "Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives and He shall stand at last on the earth" (Job 19:23-25).
The truth remains intact, for the truth of a living Redeemer is a truth of God, and so it is for us a living reality. We read the joyous account of an empty grave, and it gives the same assurance, the same eternal hope that Job possessed in his heart. We look to the victory over death and the grave which our living Redeemer secured for us by His death and resurrection.
-- The Lutheran Spokesman, April 2000
