Beloved in the Lord, we don’t often consider Lutheran hymnody, because it’s often overshadowed by the beautiful and rich hymnody of other streams of traditions. When you consider some of the great Anglican hymns or the diverse work of John and Charles Wesley, it’s not terribly surprising. There are some incredibly powerful hymns in our tradition though, and I would like to take some time each week to share them with you.
This week, I would like to begin with one of my favorite, and that holds special meaning to me: Behold a Host Arrayed in White.
Bishop Hans Adolf Brorson
When I was a young man in Confirmation Class this was one of the hymns my pastorhad me memorize and, perhaps because he held such a special place in my life, it has remained in my top five favorite hymns ever since. The version here is slightly different, it is a more contemporary version of the hymn, but the band captures the mood well. It was written in the 1700’s by Lutheran Bishop Hans Adolf Brorson and beautifully weaves together eschatological and sacramental dimensions to create a beautiful contrast between the Church Temporal and the Church Triumphant. Every time I listen to it I am swept away with the Brorson’s imagery of the martyrs who had been despised and scorned as they sojourned, travelers and pilgrims on their way home, and who know enjoy the Sabbath rest of the paschal feast.
We sometimes forget, as Christians, that this life is not meant to be easy or simple. We are travelers in this world, and our citizenship is not here, it is in Heaven. The struggles and the challenges we face, the trials and the tribulation are a part of that journey. But that is not the end of the story. Just as this hymn reminds us, we are moving towards eternity, to a greater destination, that great Sabbath rest and the paschal banquet, the wedding feast of the lamb.
As you listen, I hope that you remember where it is that your hope lies and where it is that your victory is, resting in the promise of the resurrection. Whatever the challenge, whatever the struggle persevere in the faith, looking to the faith of our fathers and mothers, the saints who came and went before us and put every measure of their trust and hope in Christ Jesus and look forward to the day when you will join them in that great banquet of the blessed. Let us hold to that hope and be inspired by that faith.
Christ has died and rose again for us, the Spirit has brought us from death to life, may we then remember that calling to live faithfully in this world even amidst adversity while looking in anticipation to the world to come.
