Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus
For a long time I have enjoyed this hymn. But then I listened as we sang it in church and heard something sad. Verse two is probably my favorite. We suffer with Christ. We bear our cross patiently. With Jesus there is no loss. This world is full of pain and not joy, but with Christ there is eternal joy.
But then I heard verse 3:
Let us gladly die with Jesus
Since by death he conquered death
He will free us from destruction
Give to us immortal breath
Let us mortify all passion
That would lead us into sin;
And the grave that shuts us in
Shall but prove the gate to heaven
Jesus here with You I die
There to live with You on High
I have to say this threw me through a loop of thoughts. It starts off fine, we die with Christ in Baptism as we drown out the Old Adam. As Christ raises us to new Life. Thus, we bury our sinful passions that would lead us to sin and ultimately the grave. But then the grave some how turns into a good thing.
Death is the enemy, who seems to become the friend. "And the grave that shuts us in shall but prove the gate to heaven." Baptism into Christ is the door that leads to everlasting life, but the grave is not a good thing. Death is still the enemy and the grave is evil. This hymn lost sight of the Resurrection, the fulfillment of Baptism. We die with Christ so that we may live with Christ. The grave shuts in but Christ busts it open. Thank you.
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