Holy Week and a Song of Hope
Three years ago, during Holy Week, my Uncle Charlie was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He passed away that August. Two years ago I shared the lyrics to the song I wrote about him, called “He Does” that week. Last year I shared the audio. I wondered how Holy Week would feel this year. Over the past few years it has been heavy, filled with the emotions associated with suffering and sadness. But this year has been different. Nothing lessens the pain of missing a loved one who you wish you could share life with, but time does change the tone of that longing and the associated memories.
I have done so many things over the past three years that Uncle Charlie either encouraged me to do or would be thrilled to see me do. I have been amazed at the opportunities that have come my way during this journey and am thankful that God has brought light and good out of a few very difficult years. This year, Holy Week feels hopeful and I am more bent toward the celebration of Easter than the mourning of Good Friday that has dominated in the years prior to this one.
A couple years ago, in Sunday school, our teacher was talking about Jesus being the “man of sorrows.” Lyrics started going through my head. I went home and re-wrote the old hymn, Hallelujah, What a Savior. I thought I’d share that this week. The audio quality is pretty terrible (hastily recorded on my Mac) and the inconsistent timing is quite cringey, but it gets the point across. This song is more reflective of how I feel this year, thankful and hopeful in a savior who knows our pain.
Man of Sorrows
“Man of Sorrows!”
What a name
For the Son of God, who came down
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
In my place condemned He stood;
Spilled his blood and took my shame
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
What a Savior!
Guilty, vile,
And helpless we;
Spotless Sacrifice
Holy Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!”
Tell me how can it be?
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
What a Savior!
Lifted up on a cross
Was He to die;
“It is finished!”
Was His pardoning cry;
Now in Heaven
God’s exalted Him on high.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
What a Savior!
When He comes back down,
Our glorious King,
All the ransomed sons and daughters
Home to bring,
We will all cry out
And with one voice we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
What a Savior!
