Oh, Love, How Deep (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 322)
1 Oh, love, how deep, how broad, how high,
Beyond all thought and fantasy,
That God, the Son of God, should take
Our mortal form for mortal’s sake!
2 He sent no angel to our race,
Of higher or of lower place,
But wore the robe of human frame,
And to this world himself he came.
3 For us baptized, for us he bore
His holy fast and hungered sore;
For us temptation sharp he knew;
For us the tempter overthrew.
4 For us he prayed; for us he taught;
For us his daily works he wrought,
By words and signs and actions thus
Still seeking not himself, but us.
5 For us by wickedness betrayed,
For us, in crown of thorns arrayed,
He bore the shameful cross and death;
For us he gave his dying breath.
6 For us he rose from death again;
For us he went on high to reign;
For us he sent his Spirit here
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.
7 All glory to our Lord and God
For love so deep, so high, so broad;
The Trinity whom we adore
Forever and forevermore.
Text: Thomas á Kempis; Music: English ballad; Public Domain
Devotion
Let’s notice an aspect we often gloss over about the healing stories in the gospels. These narratives are not just about how great and wondrous Jesus is, or what supernatural powers he demonstrates. Hero stories of the miraculous acts of great cultural, political, or religious leaders are found frequently in ancient literature
Instead, the gospel writers recount Jesus’ miracles with focused attention on the ones who are healed and how their lives were changed by their encounters with Jesus. The miracles spotlight all that Jesus gives back to them: sight; forgiveness; clear minds; family; functional limbs. The healings are about the loving attention of Jesus, the welcome he gives to those who seek him out, and the ease of the gift given. This is what we remember as we sing, “By words and signs and actions thus, still seeking not himself, but us.” Jesus’ embodied God’s desire to come close to us and bring us wholeness.
Prayer
We praise you God for the life and ministry of Jesus, who sought out those on the edge of society and brought them back to physical and social health. Please be with us in our times of stress; help us to feel your compassion and love. And have mercy on all those who seek you. Amen.