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
Written by Thomas á Kempis, our hymn highlights the focus of this week’s scripture readings. The truth that God loves all of humanity enough to take on “mortal form for mortal’s sake” remains beyond our human comprehension.
Since the beginning of our story with God, we humans have made it our business to carve out a special place for ourselves over others. We use tribe, family, caste, and creed to divide into groups. In contrast, from the beginning of God’s story with us, God our Creator, chooses to claim all of us as God’s own creatures, beloved and equipped to serve God’s mission of shalom for all.
Verse 3 clarifies what we humans try to muddle as we look for ways to circumvent God’s intent: “God sent no angel to our race, of higher or of lower place, but wore the robe of human frame, in Christ our Lord to this world came.”
Prayer
Creator God, we offer you our eternal praise for in Christ Jesus you refuse to give up on us. Embed your love so deeply in our hearts and lives that we might no longer seek to harm or separate ourselves from one another. May we trust your love enough to live in its power. Amen.