There in God’s Garden (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 342)
1 There in God’s garden
stands the Tree of Wisdom,
Whose leaves hold forth
the healing of the nations:
Tree of all knowledge,
Tree of all compassion,
Tree of all beauty.
2 Its name is Jesus,
name that says, “Our Savior!”
There on its branches see
the scars of suff’ring
See there the tendrils
of our human selfhood
feed on its lifeblood.
3 Thorns not its own
are tangled in its foliage;
Our greed has starved it,
our despite has choked it.
Yet, look! It lives!
Its grief has not destroyed it
nor fire consumed it.
4 See how its branches
reach to us in welcome;
Hear what the Voice says,
“Come to me, ye weary!
Give me your sickness,
give me all your sorrow,
I will give blessing.”
5 This is my ending,
This my resurrection;
Into your hands,
Lord, I commit my spirit.
This have I searched for;
Now I can possess it.
This ground is holy.
6 All heav’n is singing,
“Thanks to Christ whose
passion offers in mercy
Healing, strength, and pardon.
Peoples and nations,
Take it, take it freely!”
Amen! My Master!
Text: Király Imre von Pécselyi; Music K. Lee Scott.
Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A730924
Devotion
This traditional hymn is a theological retelling of the story of Jesus in six stanzas. Jesus is the Tree that is full of wisdom, healing, knowledge, compassion, and beauty. He bears the mark of suffering caused by us, and at the same time, he is our lifeblood. We bring death and destroy him with our greed and the sinfulness of all humanity, yet he lives! He welcomes us, takes our burdens and sickness, and makes in us a glorious transformation by blessing us instead of cursing us. Jesus then commits his spirit into God’s hands. The place of his death is now considered holy ground. As he assumes the resurrection life, all of heaven sings. The hymn ends with thanksgiving to Jesus, who is now the Christ, offering mercy, healing, strength, and pardon. Christ gives resurrection life to all peoples and nations, bidding them to “Take it, take it freely!” Amen! My Master!
Prayer
Gracious God, bless us with new life as we journey through Lent. Thank you for your mercy, healing, strength, and love. Amen.