Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery (ELW 334, st. 1)
1 Tree of Life and awesome myst’ry,
In your death we are reborn
Though you die in all of hist’ry,
Still you rise with ev’ry morn,
Still you rise with ev’ry morn.
Words and music by Marty Haugen
© 1984, GIA Publications, Inc.
Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A730924
Devotion
Lent is a time to ponder the mysteries of the cross. At first glance, the cross could hardly be called a “tree of life.” In fact, in Jesus’ time it was quite the opposite. It was a crude and cruel instrument of punishment, utilized by an oppressive system of domination. It represented some of humanity’s ugliest impulses: to punish and deter through
excruciating suffering. To this day, the tree of the cross does two things. First, it points an accusing finger back at humanity, indicating precisely what we do when Love himself shows up in the flesh— not to mention humanity’s ongoing and delusional use of torture in the pursuit of order and justice. Second, however, the cross mysteriously also points to life. In Jesus’ death is our life. Good Friday is followed by Easter Sunday.
Prayer
Holy God, help us to see our sin as it actually is. But give us also eyes to see your love as it actually is: generous, warm, and for us. Amen.