Lent Day 2
Day 2
When I asked for submissions for favorite lines to hymns, I also said that you could submit Christian songs in general. While hymns hold a special place in many people’s hearts, some are more familiar with praise and worship songs. Or old gospel songs that never made it into our United Methodist Hymnal. This morning is one of those examples. This song was originally written by Anne Murphy, but if I were going to make an assumption, I would guess that the version that this person is talking about is Elvis Presley’s version of “Put Your Hand in the Hand.”
The favorite line from this gospel song is:
Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee
Put Your Hand In the Hand (youtube.com)
This person explains why in such a short and beautiful way, saying, “Walking hand in hand with Him is a wonderful thing.”
There is something deeply theological and Christological about this reasoning. Meaning, this response says something profound about who we as Christians believe Christ to be. Isn’t it truly amazing that we can, with confidence, sing about holding the hand of the one who came and died for us? This isn’t the only song that makes this almost ridiculous claim, either. The other song that pops into my head is “Just a Little Walk with Jesus.” It is ridiculous to believe that we can hold the hand of Jesus or go for a little walk with Jesus, but it is what we believe. It is so crazy and yet it is the truth about our faith. We have a Lord and Savior who took on humanity to draw close to us and to be in a relationship with us. Jesus didnt just save and us and then retreat back to heaven just to greet us when we die.
No, he promised to be with us to the end of the ages. He sent the Holy Spirit so that we are never alone. So that no matter what you are going through today, whether it is the best day, the worst day, or just a regular old run-of-the-mill day, Jesus is walking with you. Jesus is right there to hold your hand if only we reach out to grab it. Thats the call for us today to reach out and grab the hand of the man from Galilee. To reach out and be led this day by Jesus. To walk with him where he may lead us.
It is also a reminder. A reminder that you are never alone. That today you are not alone. No matter what, God is with you. And that is something to shout for joy about. So grab the hand of Jesus today because it is there and it is waiting to guide you.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Lee