Music Monday: “Unashamed” by Matthew West
by: Debbie Waltz
Over the last several months, my church has immersed itself in an in-depth study of the book of Hebrews. The author begins Hebrews by arguing that Jesus is superior to the biblical figures and Jewish traditions of the time. Even though these figures in the Bible are incredibly important, they are crucial for teaching the Israelites and for spreading the good news of the gospel to both their contemporaries and all the generations that will follow. As vessels, they were open to simply obeying God’s Word and ready to follow his will wherever it might lead them. However, they were still human, with the potential to give in to their imperfections and depend on their own instincts.
The author then continues to explain how Jesus’ ministry has made the old covenant, which was created with the Israelites, to be no longer in effect. Throughout his three-year ministry, he prioritized the spiritual and physical well-being of the people over the adherence to Jewish traditions. Through his preaching, he urges people to come back and renew their relationship with the Lord. As his last act of sacrifice, he offered himself to the Pharisees, fulfilling the roles of both our high priest and the ultimate sacrifice. Through this act, Jesus saves us and restores our connection with the Lord.
Through this process, Jesus brings about our awakening in three distinct ways.
- He awakens our souls to recognize our sins, as well as understand our need for a Savior.
- He breathes life back into our “lost” works, giving them renewed meaning.
- He awakens our praise-giving Christian new reasons to be thankful and grateful.
Within the Bible, there are many narratives that depict God repeatedly using faithful Christians to deliver His message and assist Him in realizing His purposes. They were ready to confront any repercussions for upholding their faith, no matter the price. In the book of Daniel, there is a narrative of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; these were very Jewish friends taken captive in Babylon. Because they wouldn’t bow down to the golden statue King Nebuchadnezzar erected, he ordered them to be cast into the blazing furnace. Then there is Daniel inside the lion’s den.
These believers all had complete faith that the Lord would protect them, as long as it was in accordance with His will. No matter what difficulties they encountered, those who had faith in God stood firm for their beliefs and never wavered. May the same be said of us. After all we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus right(Romans 8: 37)
You can listen to Matthew West’s song “Unshamed” here.