Hymns are important to us as Christians. Hymns are sermons set to music. Singing God’s Word has a way of touching the heart in different ways than the spoken or written Word does. We often leave worship humming the last hymn we sang in church that morning.
Over the course of this school year, our four pastors at First Evan and Water of Life Lutheran Churches, who support Wisconsin Lutheran School, will be writing hymn devotions. We want the parents to read these devotions – or listen to the podcasts – together at home with your children. The devotions will be written on the Hymn of the Day. This is the major hymn in the center of our worship services. The Hymn of the Day carries the main thoughts and theme of the worship service. Our WLS students sing the Hymn of the Day in chapel on Wednesdays and will hear it again in our churches for worship on Sundays.
The second hymn we will look at reminds us of the two poles of Christian life. On the one hand, we know that as followers of Christ, we will face trial, persecution, and suffering for the sake of Jesus. On the other hand, we know that these things are nothing compared to the love our Father has showered on us and the eternal joy that we look forward to in heaven.
In our Gospel lesson for this coming Sunday from Matthew 16:21-26, Jesus tells us that as his followers, we must deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him. This may sound like a harsh promise. We like the things of this world, but Christ reminds us that suffering in this life is nothing compared to the eternal suffering in hell that awaits those who reject Christ.
Verse one: Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow you; destitute, despised, forsaken, you on earth once suffered, too. Perish ev’ry fond ambition, all I’ve ever hoped or known; yet how rich is my condition, God and heav’n are still my own!
The hymn writer echoes the words of Jesus that we must take up our crosses and follow him. As Christians, we will face suffering. Instead of focusing on the pain of our suffering, we focus on the suffering Christ endured for us. We remember that Christ endured the shame of the cross on the torments of hell in our place. He took all our sins on himself and paid for them with his life. This is why we can be content even though we suffer. We know the eternal reward that Christ has won for us.
Question 1: Why can we be sure that heaven is our reward?
Verse two: Let the world despise and leave me; they have left my Savior, too. Human hearts and looks deceive me; you are not, like them, untrue. And, since you have smiled upon me, God of wisdom, love, and might, foes may hate and friends may shun me; show your face, and all is bright.
We live in a world that has been twisted and polluted by sin. Our friends and families will not always love us the way we want them to. They will break promises to us; they may even hurt us. But our heavenly Father will never betray or hurt us. God loves us no matter what. God comes to us again and again with his love and forgiveness. When we are alone, we can turn to God as our dear Father and put our hope and trust in him. God will never fail us, and God never breaks his promises.
Question 2: What are some of the promises that God has made to his followers?
Verse three: Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn, and pain! In your service pain is pleasure, with your favor loss is gain. I have called you Abba, Father; you my all in all shall be. Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, all must work for good to me.
Notice the shift in tone in this verse. Despite facing all kinds of suffering in this life, the Christian remains defiant. The world can throw anything it wants against us. Satan can rage in all his power. But we tremble not; we fear no ill; he cannot overpower us. We know that the victory has been won. We know that Christ has defeated the power of Satan. And so, we rest content in the promises of our God, knowing that he is watching over us and caring for us.
Question 3: What are some of the challenges a Christian will face in their life of faith?
Verse four: Haste, my soul, from grace to glory, armed by faith and winged by prayer; all but heav’n is transitory, God’s own hand shall guide you there. Soon shall end this earthly story, swift shall pass the pilgrim days, hope soon change to heav’nly glory, faith to sight and prayer to praise.
Christians know that this life is not the end. We know that the things of this world will be destroyed at the end of the world. Fame, wealth, and fortune – in the long run, all these things count for less than nothing. The only thing that will truly matter is whether a person believes in Jesus as their Savior. Jesus expresses this truth in Matthew 16:26, “After all, what will it help a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what can a person give in exchange for his soul?” This is why Christians can joyfully endure suffering in this life. We know that it is temporary, but the joy of heaven is eternal.
Question 4: Why can Christians endure suffering with joy?
Life is difficult. It is full of pain and sadness. The world wants to distract us by thinking it has an answer to suffering. But the answers of the world are empty. The things it offers will not last. Only the truth of God’s Word is eternal. Our faith in Christ reminds and assures us that eternal life has been won for us in Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is why a Christian can stand defiant and hopeful when faced with the struggles of this life.