With the uplifting sound of the birds chirping in the dewey mornings and the smell of the fresh flowers and smokey cookouts in the evenings, it looks like we’re entering into the thick of the summer vibes for 2024! The summer days and nights are always my favorite; making memories that will last a lifetime with friends, family, and new friends. For this July, let’s take a look into a song that matches this uplifting energy that we find within our summer vibes and also reminds us of how great Jesus’ love for us is. Let’s dive into
“Rescuer (Good News)” by Rend Collective.
“There is good news for the captive
Good news for the shamed
There is good news for the one who walked away”
This Christian folk band comes from Bangor, Ireland, which is located just outside of Belfast, the city that originated the Titanic. The band’s current members consist of Chris Llewellyn, Wil Pearce, Thomas Ewing, and Steve Mitchell, however the band had a different configuration when this song in particular was made, even featuring female backing vocals from pianist Ali Gilkeson, along with some other differing members. The band gets their name from the “Rend,” which was a young adults ministry at Bangor Elim Church where Gilkeson preached and Llewellyn led worship. The band explained that they noticed a sense of hostility from the modern culture towards the church and Christians and therefore sought to make music that would speak to people in a spiritual way and encourage them to come back to the church community. This ideology also helps us understand the line in the song that goes, “There is good news for the doubter, the one religion failed.” This line is speaking directly to those people who the band is seeking to draw back to the church. The people who feel like church let them down, and sometimes that happens because as humans, we are flawed; but knowing that Jesus is there for us and our flaws to help us grow and show us how to love and show the same passion that had for others is what helps show us the light through the darkness.
“There is redemption
For every affliction
Here at the foot of Calvary”
The line in the song about the doubter is also reminiscent of Luke 15:4–7 when Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep about a shepherd who has a flock of 100 sheep, but after noticing one is missing he is willing to find his one lost sheep. Upon finding it he rejoices with his brothers. Jesus says that there will be even more joy in heaven for the one sinner who repents over 99 righteous people who needed no repentance. This parable alone is evident enough that our Lord is truly our “Rescuer” as the song suggests. Which is, of course, good news for us as Christians who have a relationship with Jesus, but even more good news for those of us who are still lost like the sheep in the parable. Following perfectly, the very next line goes, “For the Good Lord has come to seek and save.”
“Oh how sweet the sound
Oh how grace abounds
We will praise the Lord our rescuer”
Truly, the additional good news here is: even with differing members, this band continues to this day to make music that is undeniably spiritually uplifting for everyone. With this being the month that the United States celebrates its freedom, I think it’s only right that we also celebrate our freedom in Jesus Christ too. I pray that everyone has a celebratory and safe July celebrating their freedom from sin from our Rescuer!!
References:
Rend Collective. “Rend Collective – Rescuer (Good News) [Official Music Video].” YouTube, 25 Aug. 2017 . Accessed 26 June 2024.
Rend Collective. “Rend Collective – Rescuer (Good News) Lyrics.” Genius. Accessed 26 June 2024.
“Rend Collective.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 May 2024. Accessed 26 June 2024.
Taplin, Phoebe. “Bangor.” Ireland.Com, Tourism Ireland, 7 June 2024. Accessed 26 June 2024.
“‘Whosoever’ Out Now!” Rend Collective. Accessed 26 June 2024.