By Doug Redford
In 2 Corinthians 1:20, Paul writes, โFor no matter how many promises God has made, they are โYesโ in Christ. And so through him the โAmenโ is spoken by us to the glory of God.โ The word Amen has its linguistic roots in Hebrew. The Old Testament word often translated as โfaithfulnessโ in our Bibles is derived from a Hebrew word from which we get the word Amen. Jeremiah used that word in Lamentations 3:23 when he wrote as part of his tribute to the Lordโs never-failing compassions, โGreat is your faithfulness.โ Even during a time of lamenting, following the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians and their destruction of Solomonโs great temple, Godโs Amen could not be silenced.
Paul tells us that Godโs ultimate Amen (the Amen of Amens) is the fulfillment of his promises in Jesus Christ. Think especially of the Old Testament prophecies, which Paul as Saul the Pharisee was aware of as part of his heritage. Those prophecies took on new meaning when Saul became a follower of Jesus. In fact, he could never really say Amen to those prophecies until he came to know their fulfillment in Jesus. That Amen was never silenced for Paul; even when persecution intensified and he knew that his earthly life was nearing an end, he could still proclaim, โThe Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amenโ (2 Timothy 4:18).
The only time many of us may use the word Amen is at the conclusion of a prayer. But think of the word as an appropriate response after partaking of Communion. Consider how Jesus has not only fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament, but also how he has fulfilled his promises in your life: promises including forgiveness, hope, and eternal life. And donโt forget the promises that are yet to be fulfilled in the place he is preparing for all Christians.
We sometimes speak of โsaying graceโ before a meal. Communion is a meal that says grace by reminding us of the price paid to fulfill all that God promised to provide for the redemption of sinful humanity. His Amen could not be silenced by those who desired to crucify Jesus and smother his voice. Communion is a fitting time to add our Amen to Paulโs and to say to the Lord, with Jeremiah, โGreat is your faithfulness.โ
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities come.
Author: Doug Redford
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
