Immanuel: Christ With Us! John 21:7

Text:  “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved (John, speaking of himself) saith unto Peter, It is the Lord.  Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.”

John 21:7.

Good morning, God-fearing Christian!  Being a ‘disgustingly normal’ Christian - just like the author - you and I know by our experience of life exactly what the apostle Paul knew by his own experience: we are Hell-deserving sinners.  In our flesh dwelleth no good thing! (Romans 7:18)

Thus we have a healthy fear of being in the Presence of the Holy Lord God Almighty Whom we both love and seek to serve.  This is how it should be, reverend friend.   Yet, in Christ Jesus, all our sins are covered.  Hallelujah!

“Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.”                                 (Hebrews 12:28-29)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9)  Wow!  What  a Saviour!

Peter’s reaction to the knowledge that he was in Christ’s Presence, mirrors the reaction of our Created progenitors - Adam and Eve - in Eden’s Garden, after they had sinned by disobedience to the Lord God. 

“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day; and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the Presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”                   (Genesis 3:8)

Peter, being informed that the Lord Jesus Himself was standing on the shore speaking with them, immediately perceived himself as "…naked…" in his sins before God, and "…cast himself into the sea."  (V.7)

Our unconfessed sins, in the Presence of a thrice Holy Lord God, makes us feel thoroughly ashamed - and there is no place to hide from God, not even in the midst of a great sea. “Be sure! Your sin will find you out!”  (Num. 32:23)

“Blessed is he/she whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered… the man/woman unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity”  (Psalm 32:1-2)

 

Emmanuel

Muse on then Blood-cleansed Christian mind;

Of foes before thee, foes behind!

Mid mad adversities to find:

Emmanuel, God with us.

Chorus: Christ before me, Christ behind;

Everywhere a cross I find.

Yet, no more sin-sick, cursed, and blind:

Emmanuel, God with us.

 

I’ve faced the bear of poverty,

And hungered much, and so have ye;

Yet, slain the beast, ‘cause e’er we see:

Emmanuel, God with us.

The lion, so wicked, roared in rage;

My back was blistered in its cage;

Yet, Victory was my Master’s wage:

Emmanuel, God with us.

 

The giant despair with me did grapple.

He held me fast in Doubting Castle;

Yet, Blood-bought faith my chains unshackled:

Emmanuel, God with us.

The king of Hades’ realms, demented,

With fiery passions sore tormented;

Yet, all my failings, Jesus mended:

Emmanuel, God with us.

 

Then Satan’s servants, Philistines!

Defamed my name with evil lies.

Yet, Christ the Lamb my pardon signed:

Emmanuel, God with us.

 

The bear, the lion, the giant, the king;

The Hell-bound, evil, Philistines;

Are ever vanquished when they find:

Emmanuel, God with us.

Christ before me, Christ behind;

Everywhere His Cross I find!

Now, no more sin-sick, cursed, and blind:

Jesus gives me Victory!

Dr C.K.McClinton, BA (Hons); MA; Ph.D.; D.Litt.

 

Thought:  Covered by the precious Blood of Christ Jesus, we are forever welcomed and safe in God’s Holy Presence.  Come, let’s worship Him now.