Lenten Theme Hymn: "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say," ELW 332
Devotion
1I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Come unto me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down
your head upon my breast."
I came to Jesus as I was,
so weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
and he has made me glad.
2I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Behold, I freely give
the living water, thirsty one;
stoop down and drink and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.
3I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"I am this dark world's light;
look unto me, your morn shall rise,
and all your day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I'll walk
till trav'ling days are done.
Text: Horatius Bonar, 1808-89 (Public Domain)
This Holy Saturday, with death in the air, we are compelled to keep vigil for Easter's dawn, for we have heard the voice of Jesus say, "I am the resurrection and the life." Jesus spoke these words into the face of death, appealing to the sense of hearing of our ears or hearts or both. Our hymn text also reminds us of what we have heard from the lips of Jesus. But this particular Holy Saturday is about vision as we watch for the coming of resurrection. Like sentinels turned toward the east, we take to our post, intent on catching a glimpse of the sun's light.
Eyes squinting at the horizon, we hear the voice of Jesus say, "I am this dark world's light; look unto me. Your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright." The dark night will crack open, much like a rock-hewn tomb. Just you watch and see. Our bright day is coming. For this is the night when light is shed upon the whole of creation.
Prayer
Be thou our vision, O Christ, as we look to your dawn. Anticipating your resurrection, we join the ancient words from the Vigil of Easter's proclamation: "Rejoice, O holy church! Exult in glory! The risen Savior shines upon you!" Amen. ("ELW Leaders Desk Edition," page 646).