John 15:13 — Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

I am so blessed to sing in our worship choir. It’s not just the singing, or the fellowship, or the worship … all of which I love. It’s the words. As we sing great songs, week by week, there’s a chance to savor wonderful words that tell deep Biblical truths. Just now we are rehearsing a song called “His Cross”. It’s a beautiful focus on the salvation story:

His Cross was not the first cross to stand on Calvary’s hill, his cross was not the last cross, where man’s blood, by man was spilled.
But his cross was the first and last cross where once for all God’s lamb was slain, and his blood was the first and last blood that can can wash away sins stain.
…
His tomb was the first and last tomb where life and death would collide, and his tomb was the first and last tomb where death itself would surely die.
For he arose on the 3rd day evermore to live again.
Soon he’ll return, for all his children, we shall go and live with him and in his home there’ll be no sorrow, former things are passed away. In his presence, we’ll live forever, oh hallelujah oh what a day.

In a few short verses, this beautiful song covers so much ground. Indeed Jesus’s cross was not the first cross. Thousands of Jews had been crucified in Israel before Jesus. But there were, of course, many unique things about this crucifixion. For a start, the victim was a volunteer. The Son of God “being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)
This cross carried the lamb whose blood was the only blood that God would accept in payment for man’s sins.
The tomb where they laid Jesus was the tomb where life and death collided, and from Friday to Sunday history changed direction, death lost its sting and the grave lost its victory.
On that Sunday, on the third day, “Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” The resurrection became reality.
As if these great truths about redemption and resurrection were not enough, the song speaks about the rapture too. Jesus is coming back for His children, and we will live with Him forever.
One song, so many great truths. Week by week rehearsing allows me to be drenched in the wonderful words of the faith. This week, I’m reminded of the greatest love of all. Next week, perhaps, my mind will be focused on another great truth!