Sauntering with Paul White

The victory won by the Messiah means that death has been disarmed of its main threat - that of permanently isolating the human being from God's presence for ever. This is pretty important stuff and while Handel has our attention he makes sure he gives us the full message!

1 Corinthians 15:51-57

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Messiah

Through the mouth of a gorgeous soprano soloist, Handel courageously grapples with the huge questions of death, bodily decomposition and resurrection. He takes the fashionable music-loving social elite on a thorough theological examination.

Job 19:25,26, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

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Messiah

The most famous and instantly recognisable part of the whole Messiah - the Hallelujah Chorus. In many ways this is the defining moment in the Oratorio. We join the combined voices of every creature in heaven and earth worshipping God and the Messiah, the Lamb of God. We glimpse the great moment which will be the culmination of the great story of God and people, the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.

Revelation 19:6, Revelation 11:15, Revelation 19:16

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Messiah

In a world saturated with a non-stop flood of breaking news, current affairs and 24 hour global reportage it is easy to see world leaders as supersized characters competing like Titans on a huge stage. We clearly do see the effect of one nation's actions as it directly impacts our lives, but in this section Handel gives us a glimpse of another reality. Including something which God seems to find very amusing.

Psalm 2:1-9

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Messiah

We are inspired to become part of the great host of preachers with beautiful feet, prowling the good news of the Messiah!

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Messiah

The scene changes dramatically from the suffering, despised and rejected Messiah, to the glorious conquering hero King. We see Jesus conquering the final enemy that faces each human being: Death.

Psalm 24:7-10, Hebrews 1:5,6, Psalm 68:18

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Messiah

The human race has wandered away from the Shepherd and the Messiah will play the price to bring them back. All of the physical suffering of the Messiah is compounded by the staggering burden upon his shoulders, taking it far beyond that suffered by any other.

Isaiah 53:6, Psalm 22:7,8, Psalm 69:20, Lamentations 1:12, Isaiah 53:8, Psalm 16:10

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Messiah

Part 2 of the Messiah leads with a significant plot twist - the shepherd who carried the lambs is now a Lamb. John the Baptist's words, "Behold the Lamb of God" set the tone for a more profoundly human and personal insight to the Messiah. This is a man familiar with suffering; the Saviour who takes the weight of sin and sorrow upon himself. This is one not to miss.

John 1:29, Isaiah 53:3-5, Isaiah 50:6

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Messiah

Handel uses a classic test as to the authenticity of the Messiah, taken from Isaiah 35:5,6 - the blind are made able to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk and the mute to speak - all witnessed in Jesus by the gospel writers. This leads into the exquisitely tender, "he shall feed his flock like a shepherd" From Isaiah 40;11.

Rejoice Greatly: Handel

Advent Chamber Orchestra. Soprano Soloist, Cristina Piccardi.

Wikimedia Commons

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Messiah

Sleeping out under the stars a safe distance from civilised society, a cluster of shepherds are treated to a show like no other. They witness a one time in history display of heaven opened, and the sky filled with an angelic chorus who just cannot keep silent any longer!

But why shepherds?

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Messiah