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Words that don’t belong together

Everyone knows the English language (and possibly most other languages) contains words we use together that really don’t belong together because they contradict. To cite a few examples, we sometimes say “awful pretty,” “pretty awful,” or “pretty ugly.” We might urge someone to “act naturally” or “never generalize.”

We use “non-dairy creamer” in coffee or drink from a “plastic glass.” Sometimes we are part of a “small crowd” or perhaps “alone together.” We may be “clearly confused” on a particular issue and offer a “definite maybe.”

Hopefully, you understand “almost exactly” what I mean but it’s about the “same difference” to me if you don’t. “Good grief!”

I stumbled upon a beautiful Biblical example of words used together that we normally don’t use together. They are in Revelation 5:6, where we read a description of Heavenly worship. It reads in part: “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.”

After this, the writer symbolically describes the entire creation, as every living creature bows down and worships this Lamb.

The words “slain” and “standing,” it seems to me, compose a most unusual phrase. We do not commonly see slain animals or people standing. Yet, in all the pages of God’s Word, there is no more accurate and beautiful description of the risen Lord than the lamb who, looking as though He had been slain, yet stands in the throne of the universe as the central figure in God’s creation. He stands yet today.

He stands as our Intercessor in the Presence of the Father. He stands as the One worthy of our worship. And He stands as our Redeemer in the coming judgment. These two words, slain and standing, provide a powerfully graphic picture of the life and ministry of Jesus.

“Precious Lamb of Glory,

Love’s most wondrous story.

Heart of God’s redemption of man.

Worship the Lamb of Glory!” (Steve Green)

———-

Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week’s column comes from Pastor Chuck Salmon, a retired minister living in Lock Haven.

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