God Is With Us | 5 Christmas ReflectionsSample

Come, Lord Jesus! – Revelation 22:20

Come, Lord Jesus!

As the video captured the beauty of locations around Israel, a solitary voice sang out, “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.” The vocalist alternated between English and Hebrew as the melancholy music captivated me. Even though I’d sung the traditional Advent carol every year at Christmas, I heard something I hadn’t noticed before—an earnest pleading for Christ to come again.

The lyrics look back, crying out for a rescuer to come and save Israel who “mourns in lonely exile here.” Before Jesus’ first coming, the Jewish people were waiting and longing for someone to come and rescue them from their captivity. At Christmas, we sing with joy because Christ, also called Immanuel, or “God with us,” came as a baby in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

But the song continues to ask Jesus to “come” because we still wait. Now we long for His second coming, when He will rescue us from the struggles of this world. Throughout the book of Revelation, we read His promise, “I am coming soon!” (Revelation 3:11; 22:7,12). A holy longing for the fulfillment of that promise causes us to respond in agreement, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

Relevant for more than just the Advent season, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a year-round prayer of our longing for Jesus to return and “wipe away every tear” (Revelation 21:4) and make all things right. – LISA M. SAMRA

Why do you long for Jesus to come again? Why do you think “Come, Lord Jesus” is among Scripture’s final words?

Come, Lord Jesus, come and be my Prince of Peace. Amen.

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