Your Name Rules The Atmosphere

Jesus has spread his love on earth

Jesus was born to save us from our sins, to bring us hope and to show us how to love. He is the source of our peace. We look to him for all of these things and more. What is more fitting than calling on him and recognizing all that he has done for us?

a href="http://www.christianmusicality.com/?page_id=32">Hillsong United had the opportunity to record their song "Rule" at a site close to the Dead Sea. This video was filmed at night, under the stars in the open air. The atmosphere must have truly been inspiring, looking across the region where Jesus lived and died some 2000 years ago. The impact of their surroundings fills this performance.

The lyrics in the first verse beseech us to reflect on the events of the life and death of Jesus. He, the source of love as broad as the skies are wide, came down to this earth to share that love with us. And He did share it abundantly in his miracles, in his forgiveness, in his mercy. Through his death and resurrection, Christian faith was born. His resurrection put and end to death, overcoming the sin of Adam and Eve.

The refrain then calls Jesus to come to us. The lyrics ask the Lord to fan the flames of faith which burns in each of us. By the love he shares with each of us, they implore that he casts out of us the fear of death and sin and, as St. Paul said, the lyrics express the desire that the Lord take his place as Lord of all so that "at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, in heaven, on earth and under the earth (Phil 2:9-10)."

The bridge reminds us that Jesus, the Son of God, is the only one who could accomplish all of these things. We owe Jesus our lives, our faith, our strength and our courage to battle sin. He defeated death and is our shining light to lead us to the Father. He has freed us from the chains of sin, "(f)or God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control and has given us not the power of fear, but of love (2 Tim 1:7)." Jesus's love rules all.

Sometimes it is easy to forget how much Jesus has given us. It's hard to imagine how the Israelites lived without the light and hope of Jesus in front of them. They relied on a promise from God to send a savior but did not have the advantage of living in the knowledge of that Savior.

We have that privilege. We have that faith. We have that hope. We believe that Jesus has come as the judge of us and, as the new King of grace, hope and love.

Reflect on these thoughts while listening to the song and imagine standing on that stage looking out over the lands where Jesus walked. When you are done, thank Jesus for all he has given us.

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A blog dedicated to understanding Christian rock