Familiarity breeds boredom.
You hear the same story over and over again and soon enough the plot twists aren’t surprising, the tension isn’t wound quite as tight, and the resolution leaves something to be desired.
As we celebrate the Passion Story this week - Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday - I’m guessing many of you are familiar with the events that took place. You’ve heard sermons about them, perhaps you’ve read books or devotionals in recent years, and maybe you’ve even seen the movies about Holy Week. My question is this: are you bored with the story?
I’m not asking if you believe it or not. I’m not asking if you understand the significance or not. I’m asking if you are so familiar with this week’s events that they aren’t as captivating as they should be?
Full transparency? My answer is “Yes.”
But knowing the significance of the week, I refuse to sit unenthused.
John Piper makes the point that if you want to see something as beautiful, say it beautifully. That is, if you’re bored, stretch yourself to find new ways to say old truths beautifully in order to inflame your affections.
So I picked up my Bible, guitar, and pen and (attempted) to say the Passion Story beautifully. For me, this practice was gasoline on a smoldering fire.
I hope you enjoy it.
-Kyle
Passion’s Hymn
Praying in the garden underneath the will of God
The traitor led parades of men thirsty for his blood
Stripped before the council when the trial had begun
Bruised and weak, compelled to speak, but the Savior held his tongue
Marched throughout the city as the crowd began to chant
“He’s not our King, to hell with him,” they knew not what they said
Condemned among the sinners when the nails pierced his flesh
Upon a tree, a curse on thee, while the Devil only laughed
Man of Sorrows, Lamb of God
In his suffering, we saw love
Christ the Victor, robed in white
In his rising, He saw life
Hung between two scoundrels was a King without a throne
Lots were cast, hope collapsed, the Messiah was alone
Screams of pain and anguish, as the wrath of God poured out
His final breath, the final death, His payment was allowed
A flicker in the darkness when the curtain tore apart
Wrapped and laid inside the grave but his death was just the start
A breaking of silence as the victory was sealed
He broke sin’s claim, rose from the grave, The Risen Christ revealed
Man of Sorrows, Lamb of God
In his suffering, we saw love
Christ the Victor, robed in white
In his rising, He saw life
The promise of redemption and the sting of death no more
The time will come, we’ll rise as one, in the presence of the Lord
Visions of deliverance when the final days have passed
Found in Christ, the perfect prize, our victory at last
Man of Sorrows, Lamb of God
In his suffering, we saw love
Christ the Victor, robed in white
In his rising, He saw life
