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30 DECEMBER A MISSION OF REDEMPTION O come, O Key of David, come And open wide our heavenly home. Make safe for us the heavenward road And bar the way to death's abode. Revelation 3:7-8 There are many par ts to the Advent season that I really enjoy, and one of my favorites is reflecting on the many names and titles of Jesus Christ. The fifth stanza of O Come O Come Immanuel refers to Jesus as the "Key of David." This lesser-known title for Jesus comes from Revelation 3:7: "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." This title, "Key of David," directs our attention back to the Davidic covenant. As the Son of David, Jesus fulfills these prophecies given to David that one of David's descendants will sit on the throne forever. By noting that Jesus holds the key of David, John communicates the authority and power of Jesus because keys represent both literal and symbolic power. The person with a key can unlock things. Jesus Christ possesses authority and power, but His keys do not deal with the physical realm. His keys have authority over eternal life itself. Through the incarnation, Jesus has claimed the Key of David. At the right moment in histor y, the Son of God stepped into a world trapped in bondage. He mingled with those trapped by the powers of darkness. He walked with those who were on the path to hell. He touched people just like us. His life on ear th was a rescue mission, a mission of redemption. Through His life and by His death Jesus has thrown open the doors of heaven! He came to ear th to seek and save the lost, and when He cried, tetelastai, "It is finished!," the gates of heaven swung open to any who receive Him because He is the door to heaven. None who comes to Him will be refused or lost along the way. He has locked the doors to hell for those who call upon His name. He is both door to heaven and path to eternal life. And since He holds the key of David, He alone has authority to open and shut the way which leads to life. Truly our Lord Jesus made safe the heavenly road. Let us rejoice that Christ has come and will soon come again to escor t us home. Zach Sparkman, Student, Master of Theology (New Testament) O Come, O Come Immanuel John Mason Neale (1861)