Whenever I think of the late, Nat King Cole’s hit, Unforgettable, it’s not the original 1951 version that comes to mind, but rather the duet with his daughter, Natalie Cole, recorded in 1991, 26 years after his death.
I remember hearing over the radio that through the magic of modern technology, Natalie had been able to reunite with her deceased dad for an unforgettable duet. As great as the original hit was, the second one was greater!
That’s the Gospel message right there! Prior to Jesus’ birth, serving God was summarized as following a seemingly endless number of rules and rituals. There were plenty of Dos and Don’ts as well as animal sacrifices and building altars to God. All in all, having God’s approval meant obeying His laws and commandments. Wow, that’s like Nat’s original hit.
Then God’s Son, Jesus, came to earth and through His death and resurrection, fulfilled the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17). His new covenant with Israel and humanity, meant overriding the rituals, rules, and sacrifices and replacing them with His sacrificial death and resurrection. “By calling this covenant new, he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear” (Hebrews 8:13). Why?? Because, as God had shared through His prophet Isaiah (43:19), “Behold, I’m doing a new thing; do you not see it?”
Instead of animal sacrifices He wants us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices for His glory (Romans 12 :1). Instead of rules and laws written on tablets of stone, He’s written them on the tablets of our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). Instead of stoning our neighbors to death for breaking a commandment, we’re to forgive them and love them (Matthew 22:39) just as Jesus does. Consider this part as the duet of Nat and Natalie; the greater hit. “For God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT). The “Duet,” actually, the Trio (Trinity), sang the greatest song in history: The Redemption of Mankind. And because of this best-selling “hit number,” we can dance before His presence with uplifted hands, clean hearts, and a clean conscience, not fearing His wrath! Jesus bore on His body God’s penalty for sin, for all time, for all humanity! He redeemed us! He purchased us! He reconciled us to God. And as God’s only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), He replaced the old covenant with a better one (Hebrews 7:22).
I would say, that’s unforgettable! Sing with me…”That’s what you are.”
God Bless!
Sam
Recommended Song: Lord We’ve Come To Worship Don Moen