Jesus: The Crescendo of the Bible’s Glorious Hymn

Introduction

The Bible is often described as an anthology- a collection of 66 books written by over 40 authors across thousands of years. However, within the diversity, a unifying melody emerges. The law, prophets, poets, kings, and apostles all contribute their voices to one cosmic hymn that recapitulates throughout Scripture: the song of God’s redemption through Jesus Christ.

When we view the biblical narrative through the metaphor of a hymn, a beautiful picture emerges. Each era and character represents a verse in the song, progressively building on each other and pointing ahead to Jesus as the chorus and climax. He is the central figure that ties the entire hymn together, giving it ultimate meaning and purpose. Let’s explore the key verses that compose this biblical symphony.

Verse 1 – The Law and Sacrifices

The Old Testament’s opening books establish the biblical hymn’s foundation – humanity’s need for salvation. In Exodus and Leviticus, God gives Moses the law and sacrificial system. Codes for moral behavior and rituals for atonement underscore the reality of sin and the consequences of disobedience.

Yet, we also find extraordinary mercy and grace. Leviticus 17:11 explains that “the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” God provides a way for sins to be covered and relationship restored through the sacrificial shedding of blood.

The tone has been set – recognition of sin and reliance on God’s provision for redemption. The law reveals human sinfulness and teaches the necessity of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Moses stands as a critical figure in this opening verse, leading the people in worshipful response to God’s covenant faithfulness.

This movement hints at the coming sacrifice of Christ, establishing rhythms of repentance, faith, and grace that will reverberate through the biblical hymn.

Verse 2 – The Kings and Judges

As Israel enters the promised land, the age of judges and kings continues the narrative. The song continues the same melody but a different verse, though the fundamental theme remains – human failings and God’s faithfulness.

We see heroic faith and deep flaws in leaders like David, Solomon, and others. Periods of prosperity and calamity reflect the consequences of obedience and apostasy across generations. The highs and lows of this era reinforced the need for a perfect king to rule justly over God’s people.

God is pointing the way to the pivotal figure of the perfect monarch, the Messiah. A divinely anointed leader is needed to fulfill the promise of an everlasting kingdom—the verse crescendos in longing and anticipation.

Verse 3 – The Prophets

Right on cue, the prophets enter the biblical hymn with a rich new stanza. Calling the people back to faithfulness, their messages also look ahead to coming redemption. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others interweave warning, hope, judgment, and mercy.

Isaiah’s prophecies particularly begin to illuminate the identity of the awaited Messiah – a divine yet suffering servant who “was pierced for our transgressions” and “was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). Other prophets fill in details of his coming kingdom. The stanza builds to a peak, priming the audience for the Savior’s long-heralded arrival.

The prophets tune the biblical hymn to resonate with eager longing for things to be put right, for new possibilities to emerge from calamity. Out of their cries, the chorus begins to take shape.

Verse 4 – The Church

The final verse reaches its dramatic climax in the New Testament. Jesus arrives as the incarnate Son of God, the long-awaited Christ. He lives a sinless life, teaches with divine authority, suffers sacrificially, conquers death through resurrection, and ascends as Lord over all (Philippians 2:6-11).

The gospel rings out through Jesus’ disciples in verse four of the hymn. From small beginnings in Jerusalem, the church spreads this good news of redemption worldwide. Believers now sing the song in every nation, preaching the kingdom Christ inaugurated.

The Story now turns its eyes on kings and rulers and on the wide world that God loves. The scale and scope of the hymn have expanded, allowing more voices to join the redemptive refrain.

Chorus – Jesus Christ

While each verse contributes to the beauty and breadth of the biblical hymn, Jesus Christ emerges as its supreme focus. He is the long-awaited centerpiece that fulfills the previous promises and typologies.

Every aspect of Jesus’ life rings with poetic perfection. As the Lamb of God, he gives the sacrifice needed for atonement. As the Messiah, he assumes his rightful throne. As the Suffering Servant, he bears humanity’s sins. As the Divine Word incarnate, he reveals God’s glory (John 1:14). Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and exaltation ground the story of the biblical hymn.

Jesus is the turning point of history, the focus of Scripture, and, in a real sense, the culmination of the Old Testament story. All refrains lead back to Christ, the divine hero of Scripture’s universal song.

Conclusion

Viewing the biblical narrative as a hymn highlights Jesus’s unifying role across its many voices, eras, and books. God weaves a melodic theme of redemption that builds to Christ as the chorus and climactic resolution. Through him, the law, prophets, poets, kings, judges, and apostles find their ultimate harmony and purpose.

Jesus is the lyrical and theological centerpiece that ties together Scripture’s diverse motifs. As the hymn builds verse by verse, he moves more clearly into view as the Lamb of God, Suffering Servant, Risen Lord, and Conquering King. The tune that began with the law’s sacrifices reaches its full musical potential in Christ’s sacrifice for sins. Every part of the biblical hymn comes together to lift his name.