“I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25)
Lord Jesus, “holding it together” wasn’t my goal—just not becoming a blubbering mess. So yesterday afternoon about 4pm, when 2500 of us in St. Patrick’s Cathedral sang “There Is a Redeemer,” heart water gently flowed down my cheeks. “Jesus my (our) Redeemer, name above all names, precious Lamb of God, Messiah, O for sinners slain.”
The event was Tim Keller’s memorial service—but you were the focus, joy, heartbeat, and magnificence of the day. Just as Tim wanted, just as he lived. What Job knew from a far, we celebrated up close yesterday. You did come, Jesus. You did stand upon the earth—first as a toddler learning to walk, God in the flesh coming to save us. Having lived and died in our place, you now live, reign, and love forevermore.
Nothing was said of Tim’s books, downloads, or accomplishments yesterday. No pictures of Tim, resting on easels, greeted us as we entered St Patrick’s. His face wasn’t on the bulletin, and we didn’t watch video clips of the man we loved so much. But there was a lot of you, Jesus. Every kind word spoken about Tim was a like another stained-glass window in the cathedral, a megaphone, a gentle breeze blowing through that amazing worship space, highlighting your truth, goodness, and beauty, Jesus.
“Thank You, O my Father For giving us Your Son, and leaving your Spirit ’til your work on earth is done” … May the last words we sang shape the way we invest the rest of our days. You did stand upon the earth, Jesus, and you will stand upon it yet again. Next time as our impassioned Bridegroom—the one who will finish making all things new—alone worthy of our worship, love, and trust. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.