In the musical presentation, “Lamb of God*,” at the very darkest moment of the last week of Jesus Christ’s life-the death of Jesus on the cross, his mother, Mary, sings:
He who healed our sorrows, here was bruised and broken.
He whose love no end knows, here was forsaken, left all alone.
Here despair cries boldly, claiming this its victory.
Sweeter peace enfolds me: Hope did not die here, but here was given.
Here is Hope.
He who was rejected, He knows well my longing.
He, so long expected, carried our burdens, bore every sorrow.
Here is Hope
And ours is the victory.
Here is Hope.*
In our greatest sufferings, in our darkness and despair, in our extremity-here is hope. When we think pain or has won, that nothing will ever make us whole again-here is hope. Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, conquered every lasting obstacle to our everlasting joy and progress. On that Friday full of grief and confusion, His disciples did not yet know that the tomb would be empty in a few days, yet His words to prepare them for that moment were of peace and hope: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) So, when we wonder if our tomb will ever be empty, may we, too, sing:
Touch my lips and bid them sing words my tongue cannot conceive,
that my soul might join in praise, and in my doubt, only believe.
Oh, touch my heart and bid it know thou hearest every plea
and though I may not see, yet thou wilt make me whole.*
*Lyrics by Rob Gardner, “Lamb of God” musical presentation.
