December 20 - Messiah - Psalm 16:10

December 20 - Messiah - Psalm 16:10

But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.

Handel didn't put up with much from his musicians. Here are a couple of anecdotes:

A singer complained of Handel’s accompaniment.  He threatened to jump on Handel’s harpsichord and smash it to pieces, if he persisted in continuing in that manner.  Handel is said to have replied, “Oh! Let me know when you will do that, and I will advertise it. For I am sure more people will come to see you jump, than to hear you sing.”

One night in Dublin, a violinist (Matthew Dubourg – 1703-67), while playing a solo part, wandered through complex modulations in an improvised cadenza and eventually returned to the tonic.  Handel is said to have cried out loud enough to be heard even in the most remote parts of the theater, “You are welcome home, Mr. Dubourg.”

Psalm 16:10 is repeated in Acts 2:27 during Peter’s sermon to the crowd who had just seen tongues of fire coming down from heaven.  Peter wanted them to be fully aware of the work God had done in Jesus, that even though he had been killed on the cross, God had raised him from the dead and freed him from the agony of death.

In Acts 2:29-36, Peter preaches!  He tells them that David died and was buried. In fact, they could go see his tomb, but God had promised David one day a descendant of his would be on his throne.  God raised Jesus Christ, that same descendant from the grave and Peter attests that everyone there was witnesses to that fact.

Even though David didn't ascend to heaven, Jesus Christ certainly did and was seated at the right hand of God and poured out the Holy Spirit upon the earth, which they also saw and heard.

“Therefore,” Peter said, “let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ (Messiah).”

Death could not hold Him.  He conquered it and ascended to heaven. We do not worship a dead God, we worship a living Messiah!