The book “Songs of the Deliverer” tells the story of Christ re-cast in modern day. The book is a work of fiction but the stories and characters are based on the Gospels of the New Testament. These Reflections are written to highlight the Biblical pericopes.
(Here is the song “For Souls who must be Kept” featuring the guitar of James R. Valentovich.)
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Referenced in Chapter Eight
John the Baptist prophesized about the “one to come” and ultimately found in Jesus the true Lamb of God. He knew that with Jesus now present in the world, his role as the voice calling out from the wilderness was now fulfilled.
But the authorities were not finished with the Baptist. Not only had he raised Jesus above all other earthly rulers, he also took to criticizing King Herod because of his inappropriate dalliances. That was too much obstinance for Herod to bear and he had the Baptist arrested and thrown into prison.
Jesus was asked by the people about John being imprisoned. He said to them:
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.” (Matthew 11:7 – 9)
Having confirmed John’s role as the messenger who prepared the way for Jesus, he went on to chastise those who failed to learn from John the Baptist:
“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” (Matthew 11:16 – 19)
Jesus rebukes those who have traded their souls for the trappings of the world and who remain captive to sin.
These are the words of Jona, the modern day incarnation of John the Baptist in the book, Songs of the Deliverer, from the original song “For Souls who must be Kept”:
The sinners are taught
Deny God love Him not
Serve the king and his chief
That’s your lone belief
The work that you do
It’s not for you
To the king pay your rent
Says the chief satan sent
For souls who must be kept
In a world of sin and regret
They live in dread obedience
To souls who must be kept
The Chief and his freaks
Wield the whip, beat the weak
They throw down some crumbs
The lost dine on rot scum
And it all seems so clear
To those who know fear
There’s no room for God,
Says the chief and his squad
For souls who must be kept
In a world of sin and regret
They live in dread obedience
To souls who must be kept
God sent his Son to liberate the souls of the captive and to reveal the one true way to eternal life. John the Baptist was the messenger, Jesus Christ is the answer.
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