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The Gospel in Handel’s Messiah
by Alexandra Thomas
In early December 2017 I attended a performance of Handel’s Messiah with my parents. It was my first time experiencing the entire piece. I did not know it well, but I came home and listened to it during Advent with my Bible open. Did you know that Messiah is composed entirely of Scripture? Do you know that it tells the gospel from start to finish? Read on to be encouraged again by the gospel that saved you or to hear God’s heart for you if you have never heard the gospel before. May you be challenged to use what you learn to share the gospel this Christmas season.
Part 1: O Come O Come, Emmanuel
Part one of Messiah references Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah then tells the story of Jesus’ birth and early ministry. It opens with “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God” (Isaiah 40:1) and goes on to the prophet to come before Jesus, John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:1-3).
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God (Isaiah 40:3; Matt 3:3)
Handel emphasizes God’s heart for the nations throughout the first part of Messiah. God said to Abraham in Genesis 22:18 that through him all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Handel highlights how the glory of the Lord will be revealed (Isaiah 40:5) and the desire of all peoples will be fulfilled in His coming (Haggai 2:6). The nations shall come to the light (Isaiah 60:3) and when this King comes He will speak peace to the nations (Zech 9:9-10).
Here comes the Christmas story! The coming King would be born through a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). God promised this coming King would bring light to people walking in darkness. He would be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:2,6). The “good news of great joy” was first told to shepherds by an angel of the Lord, and glory and praise were given to God (Luke 2:8-11,13-14).
The first section of Messiah ends with prophecies pointing to Jesus’ ministry (Isaiah 35:5-6) and a look at the character of this Messiah. We know from the Gospel accounts that Jesus healed those who were blind (Matt. 9:27-31), restored speech to those who were mute (Matt. 9:32-33), restored the bodies of those who were paralyzed (Matt. 9:1-7), and opened the ears of those who were deaf (Mark 7:31-37).
“…they brought Him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and He healed them.” (Matthew 4:24)
In John 10:11 Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Handel returns to Isaiah 40, describing how God cares for His people like a shepherd feeding His flock, gathering the lambs in His arms, and gently leading those who are with young. Part one concludes the same as it began. “Comfort ye” of Isaiah 40:1 is seen fulfilled in Christ in the closing songs taken from Matthew 11:28-30:
Come unto Him, all ye that labor, that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest
Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him; for He is meek and lowly of heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Part Two: The Cross and the Empty Tomb
Part two of Messiah opens with the words of John the Baptist from John 1:29:
Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world.
The music turns to more sorrowful melodies as Handel walks us through the sufferings of our Savior as prophesied in Isaiah 53:3-6, Psalm 22:7-8, Psalm 69:20, and Lamentations 1:2. You can read fulfillment of these prophecies in Luke’s account of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion in Luke 22 and 23.
He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
He hid not His face from shame and spitting.
He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities.
All they that see Him, laugh Him to scorn
He looked for some to have pity on Him, but there was no man; neither found He any to comfort Him
Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow.
Why do we need our sins taken away? Why did our Savior need to suffer? This section includes Isaiah 53:6, which explains that “all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned- every one- to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Though not every verse of Isaiah 53 is sung in Messiah, a close reading of this chapter tells us so much about the gospel. It was God’s will to allow Jesus to suffer (“to crush him” v.10). By this Jesus was made an “offering for guilt” (v.10) so that those who repent and put their trust in Him can be “accounted righteous” (v.11) because “He shall bear their iniquities” (v.11). These prophecies and their fulfillment are summarized so well by the Apostle Peter:
“When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (I Peter 2:23-25)
Handel refers to Isaiah 58:8 to note Jesus’ death: “He was cut off out of the land of the living…” then introduces Jesus’ resurrection with Psalm 16:10: “But thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.” From here part two takes on brighter sounds with quicker tempos to paint a “sound picture.” The tide has turned from sorrow to celebration. He is victorious over sin and death!
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. (Ps 24:7-8,10)
Part two has shown the suffering of our Savior and His glorious victory over sin and death. Before concluding the section, Handel includes a reminder that the news of the resurrection is meant to be shared.
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. (Rom 10:15)
Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world. (Rom 10:18; Ps 19:4)
Finally, the most well known song from Messiah, the “Hallelujah Chorus.” It is written using Revelation 19:6,16 and Revelation 11:15. Traditionally the audience stands when this song is played. This began when England’s King George II stood during the song in 1743, and the custom continues today.
Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.
Part Three: The “So What?” of Part Two
The final part of Messiah does not have the familiar tunes of the Christmas story or the iconic “Hallelujah Chorus.” I call this section the “So what?” because it dives into the impact of the cross and empty tomb. It begins with “I know that my Redeemer liveth” (Job 19:25-26) then spends considerable time in 1 Corinthians 15 to declare that:
Because Jesus died, we can be made alive in Him (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)
We who know Christ will not all sleep [die] but we shall be raised up again (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)
Because Christ is risen from the dead, death is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:34)
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55)
The next to last song of Messiah is one I consider a tender lullaby from God to His people. It summarizes the gospel: Jesus died and was raised, through Him we are no longer condemned, but He intercedes for us at the right hand of God. This song brings me great comfort in times of struggle as I meditate on these verses from Romans 8:31,33-34.
If God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?
It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth?
It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.
Messiah closes with a picture of the throne room of Heaven from Revelation 5:12-14. The cross and empty tomb lead God’s people here: reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and an eternity in right relationship with our Maker, our Savior, and our God. Though King George II stood for the “Hallelujah Chorus,” this final song makes me want to stand and lift my arms and voice to sing:
Worthy is the lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory and blessing
Blessing and honor, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.
Share the Gospel with Handel’s Messiah
If you happen to come across Messiah this Christmas season, I would encourage you to use the opportunity to share the gospel. Here are some ways to refresh your heart with the gospel and use this musical work for gospel conversations:
1. Listen to Messiah during Advent with your Bible open. Remind yourself of the gospel and praise God for saving you through Christ.
2. Consider learning songs from Messiah to help you memorize Scripture.
3. If you hear the “Hallelujah Chorus” on the radio, use it as a chance to talk about the gospel in Messiah to anyone who is listening too.
4. If you have the chance to go to a Messiah performance, (1) share the gospel with those around you and (2) be sure to pray for the performers. I have met individuals who know the whole work from start to finish and never saw or responded to the gospel. Pray that as the performers sing, the Lord would use the scriptures to prepare them to respond in repentance and faith to the risen Lord Jesus.
I recall Philip’s question to the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:30: “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replies, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:31). Do you know what he was reading? Isaiah 53, which we saw in part two. It shows the suffering of our Savior and the marvelous work of salvation as Jesus took the punishment for our sins upon Himself. Many will hear the gospel through Messiah this season. Let the Apostle Paul’s words encourage you to share this Good News of great joy!
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:14-15)
Alexandra is a wife and mother to three boys (two of whom are twins). She spends her time caring for her family and home much of the week and works part time as a pediatric occupational therapist. Alexandra loves music, crafting, books, baking, and recently cake decorating. She and her husband regularly pray for opportunities to share the gospel and love encouraging others to do the same.
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