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
The term “Lent” originally comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “lencten” which means “spring,” the time when the days are lengthening. The season began as a period of fasting leading up to the Vigil of Easter, when those preparing for baptism at Easter would fast and spend days in intense preparation. For those already baptized, Lent is a time for renewal in faith by study of the Bible, the Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer.
Initially a period of preparation for Holy Baptism, Lent has become a six-week or forty-day journey to the cross of Christ and then through the cross to life everlasting. Sundays are not counted in the forty days of Lent, since they are celebrated as feast days of the Resurrection. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, our current practice recalls Jesus’ forty-day fast in the wilderness after his baptism (Matthew 4:2, Luke 4:1-2) as well as Moses’ forty-day fast on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28), and other biblical references. Blessings to you as we journey forty days with Christ through the season of Lent.
Prayer
Gracious God, fill us with peace and reverence throughout this season of Lent. May our almsgiving, prayer, study, fasting, and other spiritual practices draw us ever closer to you. Amen.