By Elizabeth Crawford

My song is love unknown,

My Savior’s love to me,

Love to the loveless shown

That they might lovely be.

Oh, who am I

That for my sake

My Lord should take

Frail flesh and die?

(LSB 430 stz. 1)

In this fifth week of Lent, there may be times where we are reminded that the world is full of sin in ways that we do not expect. A family member may suddenly have health issues, or a friend may suddenly pass away. Sin and death are our constant companions, and the devil is always crouching at the door, ready to attack Christians when we least expect it. During these hard times, we may feel loveless and abandoned by God. However, this hymn reminds us that Christ showed love even to those who consider themselves unworthy of love. Jesus Christ died on the cross for His beloved people to take away all the sins that plague us.

However, this doesn’t mean that the impacts of sin are erased in earthly life. Death, illness, and pain still happen, even to the most faithful Christian. And we see sin’s effects on others as well. For example, many reject or turn away from our Lord and Savior every day. People, perhaps even family members and friends, reject the gift of eternal life and try valiantly to become their own gods. Unfortunately, this isn’t new; even the people of Jesus’ time did this, too. As the hymn says, “But men made strange, and none the longed-for Christ would know.” (LSB 430, stz. 2), and “for His death they thirst and cry.” (LSB 430, stz. 3). Sin is a permanent and painful part of this earthly life, something that the Christian must constantly struggle with and that causes us to turn to God in prayer.

But we don’t struggle alone. Christ died on the cross to take away our sins, even the sins of those who are struggling with faith. He gives us the gift of family, friends, and other community members to uphold us and we them. Christians can build each other up and support each other when we are tempted by disbelief or struggle with the weight of sin, death, and the devil. Together, we can pray for salvation, remember our baptism, recall our identity in Christ, and sing His praises. We have the privilege of reminding each other that even though the world attempts to separate us from the love of Christ, we are never ever alone.

Here might I stay and sing,

No story so divine!

Never was love, dear King,

Never was grief like Thine.

This is my friend,

In whose sweet praise

I all my days

Could gladly spend!

(LSB 430, stz. 7)

Soli Deo Gloria, Amen

Elizabeth Crawford is a sophomore at Concordia University, Nebraska, where she is double majoring in elementary education and music. She is an active member of Bulldogs4Life, the Y4Life team on campus. She dreams of one day serving as a Lutheran Kindergarten teacher and professional musician.

All hymn texts taken from the Lutheran Service Book (2006).