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
In this well-loved 15th century Latin hymn (with originally 23 verses) we see a beautiful journey, centered around Christ’s love. It starts with Jesus’ birth and how he can identify with us since he’s lived a human existence on earth, continues with his earthly ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and it finishes with a doxological final verse. When we reflect on Jesus’ life, we can use this hymn to help us put our faith into words. Many people consider our faith as simply believing in Jesus; however, Scripture tells us that even demons believe in Jesus. Our faith rests on something deeper: Jesus became man, died, and rose for us. “Oh, Love, How Deep” encapsulates this faith beautifully, as it helps us remember the purpose of the Season of Lent: all glory to our Lord and God, for love so deep, so high, so broad.
Prayer
Gracious God, we give thanks for the life of your son, Jesus Christ, given up for us in a love that’s deep, broad, and high. Accept our prayers, spoken, whispered, and sung. Amen.