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"Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle"
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
How does someone become the King of kings and Lord of lords? In the history of this sinful world, many have become kings and lords by all manner of intrigue, deceit, power, and conniving. Even in a democratic society, where people choose their leaders, men and women are often elected not on the basis of leadership skills but on the basis of halfhearted promises or mere popularity. For those wanting to "get ahead" in the political realm, honesty and integrity sometimes are not high priorities.
And how do those who have grabbed power often act? Jesus once commented that "those who are regarded as rulers [in this world] lord it over" their subjects, taking advantage of their position. After sharing that insight, Jesus warned his disciples, "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all" (Mark 10:42-44).
Jesus himself is the epitome of this profound Christian truth: the greatest in God's kingdom is the one who becomes the least, the servant and slave of all! Nowhere is this truth more brilliantly amplified than in Jesus' cross. Though in his suffering and death Jesus might seem to have been the lowest of criminals, the truth is that his cross brings him the greatest eternal glory. God has exalted his Son to the highest place, that at his name every knee should bow and every tongue confess that our crucified and risen Savior is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Philippians 2:8-11).
"Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle" (CW 122) is an ancient hymn written by Venantius Fortunatus (530-609). This Lenten hymn describes how Jesus "as a victim won the day" (st. 1). After recounting the Savior's redeeming work (sts. 2,3), the poet reveals how Jesus' cross-that shameful Roman implement of cruel pain and death-is for us the "true sign of triumph" as the unequaled "symbol of the world's redemption" (st. 4). By his cross, Jesus not only won eternal glory for himself but also for all those who trust in him!
Sing, Christian! Praise God that our Savior took up his cross and achieved glorious forgiveness, life, and salvation for us all!
© 2007 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.
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