Throughout Lent we have been looking at the book ‘Living Hope’ and have seen how God deals with imperfect people and how hope is fostered and grown as we notice what He has done and is doing, as we do this in community, not just in isolation and as we step up with courage to mirror God’s heart in our communities. On Good Friday we looked at the Phil Wickham song ‘Living Hope’ to see what it has to tell us about our new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Pet 1:3-4)
The first verse tells us about the problem in our world: sin. This is described as a chasm, a gap so wide we could not bridge it, or a mountain so high we could not climb it. We need to understand the problems are so great that we cannot solve them on our own.
God has taken the initiative in bridging this gap, however, through His loving kindness and mercy. As the song says,
“The God of ages stepped down from glory,
To wear my sin and bear my shame.’ (‘Living Hope’, Phil Wickham & Brian Johnson)
As a result of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we are forgiven and called God’s own. Our response is praise and thanksgiving:
‘Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free.
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me.
You have broken every chain,
There’s salvation in Your name.
Jesus Christ, my living hope.’ (‘Living Hope’, Phil Wickham & Brian Johnson)
The final verse reminds us that Easter is a package: death-and-resurrection. The resurrection reminds us that death had no claim on Jesus, for the silent Lamb was without sin, and so could also be the roaring lion, proclaiming victory. Our only response can be deep gratitude and thanksgiving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1fwZtKJSM