Sweet Redeemer

Jesus has redeemed our sins

How do you read the Gospels? I know that I sometimes read them like a reading assignment, just wanting to finish the chapter. Sometimes I read the verses, trying to understand the spiritual message the evangelists were trying to convey. Sometimes, I try to put myself in the place of one of the people the evangelists describe - the blind beggar, the leper, the apostles, even the Pharisees and Sanhedrin.

One thing I rarely do, though, is put myself into the Gospels emotionally. That is, I don't think about the emotional impact of the situation. For me, that is where music is so important. Music brings out the emotion of the events much more quickly than reading the words does. Sweet Redeemer, by Steve Angrisano and Sarah Hart, pulls me into the emotions felt upon being saved by Jesus.

How should being saved make us feel? We should feel happiness and joy. What could be better? And Sweet Redeemer conveys that feeling oh so well. The song is bright, bouncy, uplifting and positive, characteristics one would associate with being redeemed of our sins. Steve and Sarah synergistically blend the lyrics and the music to maximize the emotional impact. And, the violin gives the song an earthy feel; it's not pompous or condescending. The music and the message are for everyone.

The song begins with: "Jesus. King of Kings. You show us mercy and give us grace. We sing glory to you." In the refrain which follows, Steve sings "Sweet Redeemer, I surrender all I am to you!"

How can we even think about not surrendering ourselves to Jesus after he just gave us the gift of eternal life?

In the second verse, Steve sings: "I was lost. You found me, took me out of the darkness, and became my light." Here, an echo sings "you were my light," emphasizing Jesus' role in guiding us to himself. Jesus picks us up when we fall into sin, and forgives us. Again, the echo "you forgave me" recognizes Jesus' power to forgive our sins.

I like the echo - the effect is really nice in this song.

After singing the refrain again, Steve launches into the bridge. The music of the bridge is more driving - Jesus' death and resurrection led to our redemption. It was here, through his resurrection, that we have been called to join him with the angels and saints in heaven. He removed the obstacles in our way, and called us into his heart, our new home.

Steve and Sarah sing the refrain again. Twice they are accompanied by the band, and twice it is quieter, accompanied mostly by a single guitar (with the echo, again!). It sounds as if the song is about to end. But, no, there is a cool transition to a higher key! Sing it with more energy, more meaning, more passion! Now, the echo consists of all the lyrics of the refrain, incorporating such beautiful harmonies. It tells of the beauty and joy of redemption.

Surrender yourself to Jesus. Give all of yourself, not just the little bit left over at the end of the day. Then you will find joy.

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A blog dedicated to understanding Christian rock