Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” 
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 21:1-5a, 22, 20

DEVOTION

“Come, Lord Jesus” is a song that speaks to the deep desire, hope, and longing within humanity, within the very core of creation, and deep within the message of the Bible for restorative justice. “Come, Lord Jesus” is the cry of those who desperately want to see the world put right, for every curse of sin to be thrown out, and every evil that has been perpetuated to be brought into the open and redeemed. It is a cry that acknowledges our blessed hope is found in “the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). This cry recognizes that final justice will only occur when every knee in heaven, on earth, and under the earth is bowed before Christ Jesus and when every tongue confesses his lordship (Philippians 2:10-11). So we cry, “Come, Lord Jesus. Come renew us. Come restore us and your creation."

This hope and cry brings us to action, daring action to see injustice cease in the here and now as we await Christ’s final return. Like the bridge lyrics say, “We live (actively) to see your glory come to earth, as it is in heaven.” Knowing Jesus promised to return gives us the motivation to live and love self-sacrificially. We have a secure future! We can continually be poured out in service of Christ’s kingdom because we know that final restorative justice will be realized. “Come, Lord Jesus,” therefore, is not an invitation to sit back and do nothing, but a call to action for the body of Christ to live “self-controlled, upright and godly lives,” that we may be a “people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:12,14). 

Finally, crying “Come, Lord Jesus” reminds us that only he brings true renewal, restoration, and justice. The number of possessions we have, the amount of power we wield, or the abundance of food and pleasure will never fully satisfy or renew us, and so we cry “Come, Lord Jesus.” We must be wary that we don’t become like the seed thrown among the weeds and become so choked with the worries and pleasures of life that we never bear fruit (Matthew 13). Those who own so much and can afford much pleasure may be tempted to say, “Perhaps Jesus can wait for a few years before coming back. I haven’t quite accomplished everything I want to and, after all, I plan on going to Europe this spring and don’t want that trip not to happen.” Crying “Come, Lord Jesus” jolts us awake to the injustice in the world that we need to help set right and that only Jesus and his final return can fully set right.

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17). We pray “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Amen.

Stephen Collins

Director of Contemporary Worship and Production

scollins@crossings.church

"COME, LORD JESUS" LYRICS

Christ has risen

Good news for all the world

Sin is retreating

But still it has a hold

We long for You to come

Set every evil right

Put every curse to flight

Your second coming

It fills our hearts with hope

Your final victory

When Death and sin’s no more

We long for your return

Your kingdom come to earth 

As it is on high 

Come, Lord Jesus, come

Come, Lord Jesus, come

You are the Vict'ry

You are the Kingdom

Come, Lord Jesus, come

Your future glory

When You have come again

Will heal our sorrow

Our life will have no end

Holy are You Lord

Come restore us now

Come restore us now 

Come, Lord Jesus, come

Come, Lord Jesus, come

You are the Vict'ry

You are the Kingdom

Come, Lord Jesus, come

We, live

To see Your glory come to earth

As it is in Heaven

We, see

Your love that’s shining like the sun

We bow before You Jesus

Come, Lord Jesus, come

Come, Lord Jesus, come

You are the Vict'ry

You are the Kingdom

Come, Lord Jesus, come

You’re Still Moving, the latest worship album from the Crossings Venue Worship Team, features seven inspiring songs intended to encourage you to live by faith, be a voice of hope, and be known by love. Listen to "Come, Lord Jesus" right here, or listen to the entire album on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and SoundCloud.