April 7 – My Favorite Thing About Jesus Is…

One of my favorite hymns for Holy Week is Ah Holy Jesus.  Singing the words puts me in a state of deep inner reflection.  I find myself realizing how I am part of the crowd that called for Jesus’ crucifixion.  Even though I strive to “live rightly”, I still need God’s forgiveness and love which he freely gives to us all.  Thanks be to God!

Ah, holy Jesus, how have you offended that we to judge you have in hate pretended?

By foes derided, by your own rejected, O most afflicted.

Who was the guilty?  Who brought this upon thee?  Alas, my treason, Jesus has undone thee.

‘Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee; I crucified thee.

Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered; The slave has sinned, and the Son has suffered;

For our atonement, while we nothing heeded, God interceded.

For me, kind Jesus, was your incarnation, your moral sorrow, and your life’s oblation;

Your death of anguish and your bitter passion, for my salvation.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee, I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee;

Think on your pity and your love unswerving, not my deserving.

Text: Johann Heermann, 1583-1647; tr. Robert Bridges

Submitted by Lynn Rupp