God Loved the World (ELW 323, focus on verse 5)
1 God loved the world so that he gave
his only Son the lost to save,
that all who would in Him believe
should everlasting life receive.
2 Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,
who was made flesh and suffered death;
all who confide in Christ alone
are built on this chief cornerstone.
3 If you are ill, if death draws near,
this truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus rescues us from death;
that is the firmest ground of faith.
4 Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son
forgives all sins that you have done,
and justified by Jesus’ blood,
your baptism grants the highest good.
5 All glory to the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, Three in One!
To you, O blessed Trinity,
be praise now and eternally!
Devotion
As Lent draws to a close and we enter the passion week, we are invited to dwell in suffering, pain, and loss. We are invited to grieve along with Jesus.
But how do you reflect on your suffering, pain, and loss? Hear this, beloved one. It is not God’s desire for you to suffer and experience loss. God didn’t “do it” to you, or “allow it to happen for a greater good.” It just happened. Bad things happen—to everybody—all the time.
And in the face of that, here is the hope and here is the promise. No matter how bad things might get, God is with you. The words of this hymn reflect on the radical theology that God suffers with you. Jesus took on the violence of the oppressor. He stands in solidarity with all who suffer violence, pain, and loss. He exposes the violence for the evil that it is and extends love to you regardless. God’s steadfast love endures.
Prayer
O God, give us grace to lament deeply the pain we bear. Give us courage to share it with trusted loved ones and to trust in your steadfast love. Amen.