Graciously Greater

“But I say unto you, That in this place is One GREATER than the temple...  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a GREATER than Jonas is here.  The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a GREATER than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:6,41,42).

How graciously greater is Jesus our Lord

Than all that the temple foreshadowed of Christ.  

The animals offered there could not afford

Redemption, though many had been sacrificed. 

Our Savior is greater than Jonah’s commission,

Who preached after three days and nights in the whale.

His life was a portrait of Christ who is risen,

A sign that His promise to rise would not fail.

A greater than Solomon also is seen

As Jesus our Savior so rightly declared.

The wisdom of Solomon praised by the queen,

Is dwarfed next to Christ, and cannot be compared!

O Lord, we have seen You are graciously greater

Than all of these figures, prophetic and true.

Their signs gave a glimpse of Your salvation later,

And all found their gracious fulfillment in You.

We thank You, O Lord, for these portraits You gave

Proclaiming Your mercy and truth in salvation.

Their shadows yet graciously show how You save,

Unveiling Your greatness in our meditation.