TSMS Saturday--"Why"

Many thanks to my friend Amy over at Miracles, Signs, and Wonders for her Saturday meme "Then Sings My Soul." Although I've never met her, I count her among my friends if for no other reason than I see how God uses her to encourage me. Thank you, Amy, for being a willing instrument!

This meme has been very close to me as music is the road that leads my life, marks the corners, and maps where I've been as well as where I am going. Life without music would be terribly sad for me.

With this being Easter weekend, I wanted to pick a song that reflected this time. Initially, I found this awesome little montage to "The Easter Song" as performed by Glad on YouTube that reminded me of Easter sunrise services growing up. It's an "old" traditional piece in my eyes, but considering it was first done by 2nd Chapter of Acts, I suppose I am only showing how green I am! It's hardly "old" by any stretch when compared with sacred music through the ages. To go enjoy that video (which I am not going to use as my song for the weekend), click here.

As I was seeking out that video, I stumbled upon a new song that really touched me and tied into the theme of beauty and value that I've been writing about. The video shows scenes from Mel Gibson's "Passion", so I will give the obligatory warning about having your children present. But the words really touched my soul deep and reminded me how I felt the first time I truly understood the gift that Jesus gave us by dying on the cross.

I love songs that tell stories. I love Mark Schultz for just that reason. He writes stories set to music. And it definitely takes a gift to recreate a tale in lyrical form. And this song, "Why" by Nichole Nordeman is no different.

So after he left I had to find out

I was not afraid of getting lost

So I followed the crowds

To a hill where I knew men had been killed

And I heard a voice come from the cross

And it said, "Father, why are they screaming?

Why are the faces of some of them beaming?

Why are they casting their lots for My robe?

This crown of thorns hurts Me more than it shows

Father, please can't You do something?

I know that You must hear My cry

I thought I could handle the cross of this size

Father, remind Me why

Why does everyone want Me to die?

When will I understand why?"

"My precious Son, I hear them screaming

I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming

But soon I will clothe You in robes of My own

Jesus, this hurts Me much more than You know

But this dark hour I must do nothing

Though I've heard Your unbearable cry

The power in Your blood destroys all of the lies

Soon You'll see past their unmerciful eyes

Look there below, see the child

Trembling by her father's side

Now I can tell You why

She is why You must die"

See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. Many were amazed when they saw him -beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person. And he will again startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not previously been told about; they will understand what they had not heard about. --Isaiah 52:13-15 NLT

Father, although it horrifies me to think of Christ bloodied, bruised, whipped, marred, shamed, embarassed and hanging on a cross so that I could have life, I am glad that You wanted me and loved me that deeply. Make me an instrument of your love and a witness to those who don't know that You love them just as much. Make me a reflection of You and Your love for others. Amen.