“For us” is a simple yet powerful phrase. With only two small words, it conveys purpose and intentionality. It defines who it is for. And best yet, you and I are included in that! This little phrase packs within it a profound depth of the gospel. It proclaims that everything God has done has been “for us”. The beauty and workings of this world are “for us”. The promise of salvation handed down from Adam, Abraham, Israel, and lastly Mary was “for us”. God willingly entered into the very world He spoke into being, and “for us”, He suffered and died on the cross in our place. Then, on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, holding the keys of death and life in His hands, ascended into heaven, and reigns over all of creation “for us”. And now, in our days, Jesus continues His mission and work through His people, the Church, in order to make it known that it was all accomplished “for us”.
Our focus for this upcoming Lenten season will be centered around this blessed phrase, “for us”. And to guide our journey through this focus, we will be utilizing the hymn, “O Love, How Deep” (LSB 544). This hymn was originally a twenty-three-stanza poem written in the 15th century. But, because the singer-songwriter, Meatloaf, ruined long songs for us all, it was later narrowed down in size by an Anglican priest named Benjamin Webb to contain only six stanzas.
Some hymns tell a story, others teach doctrine, and still others do both by creating elegant, life-like pictures in our minds of the great works of God done “for us”. “O Love, How Deep” is that kind of hymn. It takes Jesus’ life and ministry and personally applies it to our own lives and brings it into our families and homes, into our work and school, into every situation we find ourselves in. Jesus came not for Himself, but as we declare within the Nicene Creed, Jesus came: “for us and our salvation.”
For us baptized, for us He bore,
His holy fast and hungered sore;
For us temptation sharp He knew,
For us the tempter overthrew.
For us He prayed; for us He taught;
For us His daily works He wrought.
By words and signs and actions thus,
Still seeking not Himself but us. (LSB 544. Vs 3-4)
In His Service,
Pastor Noble