The Burr in the Burgh

Take a minute and read these words.

Oh Dearest Jesus, What Law Have Your Broken
By: Johann Heerman

O dearest Jesus, what law have you broken
That such sharp sentence should on you be spoken?
Of what great crime have you to make confession,
What dark transgression?

They crown your head with thorns, they smite, they scourge you;
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge you;
The give you gall to drink, they still decry you;
They crucify you.

What is the source of all your mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which you, Lord, must languish;
Yes, all the wrath, the woe that you inherit,
This I do merit.

How strange is this great paradox to ponder:
The shepherd dies for sheep who love to wander;
The master pays the debt his servants owe him,
Who would not know him.

The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
We forfeited our lives yet are acquitted;
God is committed!

O wondrous love, whose depth no heart has sounded,
That brought you here, by foes and thieves surrounded,
Conquer my heart, make love its sole endeavor
Henceforth forever!

When, dearest Jesus, at your throne in heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns your saints fore ver raise you,
I too shall praise you!

Notes:
Hymn #119 from Lutheran Worship
Author: Johann Cruger
Tune: Herzliebster Jesu
1st Published in: 1630

Tenebrae service on Good Friday, 2005

As you may know, today is not only Good Friday, but March 25 is the day of the Annunciation. Pastor Paul McCain has made some excellent observations along this line on his blog. I think it is intriguing to consider the meaning of this. The angel told the Virgin that she would be with child and she conceived by the power of God. On the very day when we recall that our God was made flesh for us, we also ponder that He offered that very flesh and blood as the perfect atoning sacrifice to reconcile God and man. We worship a man, a real flesh and bone male human being, with a mom, and He bled and suffered and even died. As I think C.S. Lewis noted, it is no big surprise that Christ rose on Easter morn. What else would the Lord of Life do? The true mind-boggler is that He died.

Sophie, my fave (and Julie is the person on the left).

Here is Penny. Not the best picture. I'll get you a better one.

And this handsome devil is King. We adopted him two days ago from the local SPCA. Strangely, Lucy the Golden Retriever is missing. Hey, where is everybod...