Savior of the Nations, Come (v. 5-6)

Attr. Ambrose of Milan (340-397)

God the Father was His source,

Back to God He ran His course.

Into hell His road went down,

Back then to His throne and crown.

For You are the Father’s Son

Who in flesh the vict’ry won.

By Your mighty pow’r make whole

All our ills of flesh and soul.

               Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus refers to the Father as, “Him Who sent me.” (Jn 1:33, 4:34, 5:24, 5:30, 6:38-39, 6:44, 7:33, 8:26-29, 9:4, 12:45, 15:21, and 16:5) There was always a movement in Jesus’ ministry, from the Father and back to the Father. After Jesus rose from the dead he said to Mary in the garden, “I have not yet ascended to the Father,” and, “I am ascending to my Father your Father, to my God and your God.”

This movement applies to us, too. Jesus’ words came from the Father, and His words bring us to the Father in faith. When you look at the arch of the story of the Bible we begin with God creating all things in Genesis, and in Revelation He brings in the New Creation where we live with Jesus in glory.

Did you notice that all the verses have talk about Jesus, but now a verse speaks to Him? This is a word of praise and a confession of faith. We have looked at Jesus’ incarnation and pondered His birth, and now we proclaim that here indeed is the Savior of the nations who heals our flesh and soul from the ravages of sin. Jesus has won the victory, and he delivers the victory to us.

Prayer

               Lord Jesus, You are the Father’s Son. You came from Him, returned to Him, and one day You will come from Him again to deliver the final victory when our flesh and souls shall be fully healed and we shall sin and die no more. Because you came in humility and You retuned to glory, because You died and now live and reign to all eternity, we worship You and pray that You would come to us as our Savior and our God. Amen.