Behold Jesus saves us completely
The Son of God and the perfect man
Dying, He paid for our sins fully
Now intercedes for us in heaven
Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
So come into God’s presence boldly
Gasp in wonder at full forgiveness
Gratefully pursue His purity
Hold fast to Jesus your confidence
(Repeat Chorus)
© 2023 Brian J. Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
The Law of Moses had a defect
Could not bring us into God’s presence
But Jesus our High Priest is perfect
Draws us to God with endless access
Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
Jesus comes from the tribe of Judah
Comes with an oath and by prophecy
Lives forever by God’s great power
Gives us hope now and eternally
(Repeat Chorus)
© 2023 Brian J. Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
Behold Jesus our great Righteous King
A King of peace who brings us to God
Priest of the Most High, always serving
That we might always draw near to God
Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
Jesus is greater than Abraham
Deserves the gift of our daily lives
Offers access to the great I Am
No other priest offers what He gives
(Repeat Chorus)
© 2023 Brian J. Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
Behold Jesus the Promised Offspring
Our great High Priest who pays for our sins
Our Refuge, the Source of all Blessing
He brings us to God – our access wins
Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
God’s promise in Jesus is certain
His purpose stands, with an oath secure
Hold fast to Him, where else would you turn?
He is our Anchor, steady and sure
(Repeat Chorus)
© 2023 Brian J. Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
City Alight has five new songs out, and here is one of them. This one looks forward to the return of Christ and the wonderful blessings we will enjoy with Him. It is an upbeat celebration of our future with Christ. The words are spot on, and it is easy to sing (and play on the guitar). I introduced it to our church this past week, and have enjoyed listening to it at home as well.
Lyrics, chord charts, lead sheets, related Scriptures, places to listen or buy, and more are available on their site here.
Grow up, and listen more carefully
The basic truths of the gospel learn
Commit to know the Word more fully
Follow the good way and evil spurn
Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
Grow up and basic truths understand
Call others to repent and believe
Gather with God’s people in the land
Press on in hope, God’s warning receive
(Repeat Chorus)
Grow up and no longer be lazy
Push to know Jesus better each day
Follow Him, move toward maturity
For His grace and growth now plead and pray
(Repeat Chorus)
© 2023 Brian J. Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
– Charles Spurgeon
See Jesus, our glorious High Priest
Chosen by God, that we might draw near
Anointed as our King and our Priest
By faith we follow with rev’rent fear
Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son
Through suffering, He learned to obey
Each time He won against temptation
He knows the struggle we face each day
And won our eternal salvation
(Repeat Chorus)
© 2023 Brian J. Mikul
(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” – Luke 4:3-4 (ESV)
Behold God’s Goodness. This is what devil wants Jesus to doubt in this temptation:
The Father said He loves you, that He is pleased with you. But He doesn’t care about you. He led you out here into wilderness where there is no food. Jesus you are starving. Why don’t you turn that stone into bread? If God doesn’t care about you, then you will have to look out for yourself.
We have all been here – going through a trial, and the devil whispers in our ear:
God doesn’t care about you. If He did you wouldn’t be here, you are going to have to look out for yourself with whatever means necessary.
This was devil’s tactic in garden too. We read in Genesis 3:4-5 – But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” In other words:
God doesn’t care about you, He’s keeping something from you. You have to look out for yourself. Go ahead and eat that fruit.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Seek the kingdom, and God will take care of your basic needs. But devil whispers:
God isn’t good. He doesn’t care. He isn’t going to add those things. He won’t take care of you. You don’t have time to seek kingdom, time to spend with God, time for church, time to help another. You can’t give money for sake of kingdom, money to help another. You have to look out for yourself.
The devil wants you and Jesus to doubt God’s goodness, but Jesus refuses to follow along. Jesus trusts God’s goodness. He points the devil back to Israel in wilderness, quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3 which reads – And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
In other words, God provided food for Israel in the wilderness, and God will provide food for Jesus at proper time. God is good.
Jesus trusted in His Father’s care and provision. And we must trust in our Father’s care and provision – His goodness towards us – so that we might overcome devil’s whisperings, like Jesus did.
John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
– Luke 3:16 (ESV)
John says he is unworthy to untie the strap of Jesus’ sandal.
That would have been an unpleasant job, to say the least. People walked around on dusty dirt roads. And unlike where I live today in the middle of winter, it was hot where Jesus lived. People would often be sweating. So the strap of a sandal would be grimy and smelly with dirt and sweat.
And the great prophet John says he is unworthy to untie it.
Is that your view of Jesus?
You would be unworthy to even untie the smelly and grimy strap of his sandal?
That even such a yucky task would be a privilege you are unworthy of because of His so much greater worth?
Serving Jesus in any way is a privilege. Following Jesus is a privilege. Any blessing He gives is a privilege.
Consider His great worth that makes any connection to Him at all a privilege.
And then live like it.
Brian J. Mikul 