Asleep in the Light

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of speaking on a Sunday morning here at Mt. Pleasant.  My message that morning was on the “Transfiguration of Jesus”.  One of the things that I mentioned from the Transfiguration account was that while Jesus was being transformed (His clothes became dazzling white and His face began to shine), His disciples (Peter, James, and John) were sleeping.  Light was emanating from the face of Jesus and His 3 closest disciples were sleeping.  They were literally asleep in the light of Jesus.  And as I wrote this section of my sermon, I was reminded of an old song by Keith Green called “Asleep in the Light”. 

I’m not sure how many people remember or even know about Keith Green.  He was a Christian recording artist from the late 70’s and early 80’s.  In my opinion he was the Christian

version of Billy Joel.  He was our “Piano Man”.  He was leading in worship before worship leading was cool.  And he wrote some awesome songs!  If you’ve ever sung “There is a Redeemer” or “Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful” in church, then you have Keith Green to thank.  He also wrote a song called the “Prodigal Son Suite” that is one of my favorite Christian songs of all time.  It is over 12 minutes long (songs could be longer in the 70’s) and is unbelievably powerful.  What’s truly amazing about it is that he wrote it before he became a Christian.  He used to play it in bars.  Here’s a link if you want to listen to it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3TYkAWRdU4.  

But as I mentioned before, he also wrote a song called “Asleep in the Light”.  It’s about the apathy that was a part of Christendom in the 70’s (imagine what he would think about the Church now).  People tend to care more about themselves than they do others and he wrote a song about it.  The lyrics are below as is a video of Keith Green playing/singing the song in 1978.  Don’t laugh at his hair or clothes.  I’m sure he was at the height of fashion in 1978J.  

Do you see, do you see all the people sinking down?

Don't you care, don't you care

Are you gonna let them drown?

How can you be so numb not to care if they come?

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done

Bless me Lord, bless me Lord You know it's all I ever hear

No one aches, no one hurts no one even sheds one tear

But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds 

And He cares for your needs

And you just lay back and keep soaking it in

Oh, can't you see its such sin? 

'Cause He brings people to your door

And you turn them away as you smile and say

God bless you, be at peace and all heaven just weeps

'Cause Jesus came to your door 

You've left Him out in the street

Open up, open up and give yourself away

You see the need, you hear the cries so how can you delay?

God's calling and you're the one but like Jonah you run

He's told you to speak but you keep holding it in

Can't you see it's such sin?

The world is sleeping in the dark

That the church just can't fight

'Cause it's asleep in the light

How can you be so dead, when you've been so well fed

Jesus rose from the grave and you

You can't even get out of bed

Jesus rose from the dead, come on, get out of your bed

How can you be so numb not to care if they come

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done

Don't close your eyes, don't pretend the job's done

Come away, come away, come away with Me my love

Come away from this mess, come away with Me, my love

Do you see, do you see all the people sinking down?

Don't you care, don't you care

Are you gonna let them drown?

Tragically, Keith Green died in a plane accident in 1982.  His music and ministry have had a significant impact on my life and I hope you are moved by his music as well.

Worship Big!

Brad