He Has His Hands on You

Photography by Lauren Monaco

LIstening to NPR this weekend, I came across a beautiful gospel song that brought much comfort to me.  It reminded me of God's shelter and providence during times of trouble and uncertainty.  I do not normally gravitate towards gospel music, but my husband and daughter introduced me to that world of music and have drawn me in.  My daughter Kathryn was part of a gospel choir at her university, one of a handful non-African Americans in the group.  It was a highlight of her time on campus.

Here is Marvin Sapp singing his composition, He has His Hands on You.  

He sees the tears you cry
He shares your pain inside
And sometimes you wonder why He allows you to go through what you go through
Just know He has His hands on you.

Your days are filled with dark clouds
Even when the sun is out
And from the top of your lungs you shout will there ever be a change, what shall I do
Just know He has His hands on you

He has his hands on you

He says He'll see you through
When you cry He's holding you
So just lift your hands up high
For He will provide
Just know He has his hands on you

Sometimes you feel so alone
Like a child lost with no home
They keep telling you to be strong
But you say when will it end?
When will I win?
But just know He has His hands on you.

He has His hands on you
He says He'll see you through

When you cry He's holding you
So just lift your hands up high
For He will provide
Just know he has his hands on you.

When times are hard and it seems no one can understand
But it's in those times that we, we tend to forget what it means to be in His hands.

He has His hands on you
He says He'll see you through
When you cry He's holding you
So just lift your hands up high
For He will provide 
Just know He has His hands on you.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Psalm‬ ‭138‬:‭7-8‬

The Tears of Christ

Charis-Kairos (The Tears of Christ) by Makoto Fujimura

How does a middle aged woman living in Dallas in the 21st Century grasp the agony of a Roman crucifixion that happened over 2000 years ago?  Let alone, the crucifixion of the Son of God?  What is it like to be flogged, to be spit on, to be derided, to be put through such physical, mental and emotional torture?  What is like to see your loved ones gathered at the foot of the cross, grieving and feeling helpless?  What is it like to have the burden of the world's sins heaped upon you, you who have never sinned?  What is it like to be separated from your Heavenly Father with whom you have been inseparable through all eternity?

My imagination and empathy can only take me so far.

But yet it is important for me to reflect on Christ's suffering by reading the Gospel accounts, not just on Good Friday, but often throughout the year.  It is important for me personally as I am one who struggle against suffering.  I hate suffering for myself, for my loved ones, for most living creatures.  And I certainly don't want to think about the suffering of Christ.  I am like his disciples, who did not want to hear about him having to suffer many things. He is after all the Son of God, the One for whom and to whom all creation was made.  He could wipe out evil in a snap, save his people with pomp and circumstance, but instead God chose the lonely painful road of suffering, of death on the Roman cross, a most hideous way of execution in all history.

I definitely see the need for atonement-the need for our sins to be dealt with, for us to be reconciled to God.  Intellectually, I can even somewhat grasp the way of atonement in the sacrificial death of our Lord Jesus, but I often struggle with the cruel and horrific way of the Cross.  But God's ways are way beyond me. I can perhaps understand just that much, just as I can only empathize with Jesus' suffering on the Cross just that much.  But how wonderful that the Son of God, our Savior, the One who hung on the Cross for you and for me, understands it all and empathizes absolutely and totally with all our sufferings and human frailties.  Because of his suffering, we know we do not have a God who stands apart when we suffer, but embraces us in our suffering, helping and advocating for us always with deep compassion and faithfulness.

I do not understand God's ways.  But I certainly rest in His deep deep love for you and for me!

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 

(Hebrews 2:14-16 ESV)

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV)