scripture and prayer reflection
Click HERE to listen to the song on Spotify
Lyrics
I remember when I was young
I was fickle you were so strong
I remember trees as they called your name
Mother told me listen up close
There's a story they have composed
Look how they're clapping arms are a-swaying high
Do you remember back on the day
When the trees swayed in the same way
How the clouds hung low over kings and thieves
How your mother stayed by your side
Watched the curtain tear in your eyes
All the heavy hearts could've cracked the ground
The beats of hammers fell like drums of war
Killed for the words you swore
From the belly of the deepest love,
The hills trembling throats sing hallelujah
Like the flowers on a dogwood tree
Blush with blame you took for me
Oh how you wish to be with me
Oh how you wish to be with me
Do you remember seeing the man
Covered by the same blood he damned
Join the song with the sky in the darkest hour
I need something to hold on to
Stronger than the iron that held you
Louder than the roar of the crowd that day
The beats of hammers felt like drums of war
Killed for the words you swore
From the belly of the deepest love,
The hills trembling throats sing hallelujah
Like the flowers on a dogwood tree
Blush with blame you took for me
Oh how you wish to be with me
Oh how you wish to be with me
I tried to get to you
But you came to me instead
With the dawn the grave is gone
Oh how you wish to be with me
Luke 23:44-49
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
Hebrews 10:19-22
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Reflection
This poetic reflection on the crucifixion of Christ centers on one main idea: the desire of God to be with His people. And not just people generally, but also personally — Me. You.
The great lengths that He went to in order to reconcile with us display His commitment to our good. We, who love Him so weakly and with hearts so fickle, could never hope to merit His love by our goodness. We could never reach Him in all of His glory and perfection no matter how hard we try, so He came to us instead. The repeated refrain “Oh how You wish to be with me” brings us back to this central focus over and over, sharpening in clarity at the close of the song as the instruments drop away and only voices remain.
One particular image from the story of Christ’s death that the song references is the tearing of the curtain, poetically described as being observable, reflected in His eyes. The temple curtain was intended to shield God’s people from the glory of His presence, so that in their sinfulness they would not be wiped out. Simply being in the glory of God’s presence as a sinful person would mean annihilation. Left to ourselves, we cannot survive being with Him.
Now, with the death of Christ, the curtain is torn in two. Christ, as our great high priest, has removed the need for separation. He has taken the full weight of God’s wrath, and has enabled us to be brought near to God through His work on our behalf. No longer do we need continuing atonement — He has redeemed us once and for all.
There is now no longer any reason to fear. We have been given assurance and confidence to approach God ourselves because we are united with Christ. Jesus is the stronger, better, greater thing the singer says is needed as our anchor. He knew what He was doing when He allowed the people to crucify Him, and He did so out of His deep love for us and desire to reconcile us to Himself. By painting the scene so poetically the songwriters invite us to watch this cosmic battle unfold — to observe the greater reality that God was working in and through Christ’s execution, and to rejoice and stand in awe of the result.
Take some time to sit with the reality of God’s desire to be with you. Notice that it is not only a past tense wish, but a present reality as well. As you remember Good Friday, may His act of embracing the cross for your sake carry its full weight in your heart, and may it give you the gift of being able to enter into His sufferings and joy in bringing you home.