LENT IV

March 19, 2023

Reflections on ”Beneath the Cross of Jesus”

Beneath the cross of Jesus  I long to take my stand;

The shadow of a mighty rock  Within a weary land,

A home within a wilderness,  A rest upon the way,

From the burning of the noon-tide heat  And burdens of the day.

Upon the cross of Jesus,  My eye at times can see

The very dying form of one  Who suffered there for me.

And from my contrite heart, with tears,  Two wonders I confess:

The wonder of his glorious love  And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, your shadow  For my abiding place;

I ask no other sunshine than  The sunshine of his face;

Content to let the world go by,  To know no gain nor loss,

My sinful self my only shame,  My glory all, the cross.

“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” 

Text:  Elizabeth C. Clephane,  Hymn 338, ELW      

Many hymns touch us in unique ways, whether they are prayerful or thoughtful, express sorrow or fear, or are sung in praise and gratitude.  Music is an important part of our worship, and the messages can stay with us longer than spoken words.  The melody of “Beneath the Cross” has a plaintive sweetness that always puts me in a thoughtful frame of mind, as the lyrics speak of the loving sacrifice of Christ for all humanity.      

Considering the original intent and use of a cross, most people cringe at the image that comes to mind.  The graphic description of a crucifixion is so gruesome that we are revolted at such a barbaric practice.  The idea that a person would be so brutally murdered when his “crime” had been helping people and preaching a message of love, forgiveness, and service to one another is shocking and disturbing.  Looking at a cross, we see a device as deadly as a hangman’s noose or a guillotine.  And yet this symbol is virtually everywhere in our places of worship.  Every time we step into the sanctuary, we see the large cross on the wall behind the altar, crosses on the covers of our worship books, and elegantly designed crosses on the paraments and banners.       

I’d suggest that the cross is everywhere because the hatred and violence that it represented has been changed completely by the resurrection of our Lord.  When Jesus rose from the dead, he overcame the power of sin and death on our behalf, and the empty cross has become a reflection of the glory of the risen Christ.     

As we come to understand the cross as a home, a resting place, and where safety and security are found, we realize that our Lord loves and and forgives us daily, and we are renewed and strengthened to share this message with a world desperately in need of this good news.  

Humbled and grateful,

Your friend in Christ,

Mary Rogers