Lamb of God
Lamb of God
Sue sits on the last pew – right on the aisle. She wandered into our midst from some run-down rental property, looking as if she were in need – of some basic hygiene instruction, perhaps of some medical care, perhaps even a case worker. She wandered in, as many people do in our downtown church neighborhood. They come in need of a bus ticket or a meal or with a broken-down vehicle. Often they come less to meet a spiritual need than a physical one, but they come nonetheless and we try to minister to those needs. They come bringing invisible baggage, and leave with -- "a cup of water," as it were. And then, usually, they move on.
Her social skills were childlike. She spoke much too loudly. If she were sitting alone and a thought occurred, she might speak it out into the air, as if hoping someone would seize her thread of thought and help spool it into orderly conversation. Many people gave her polite nods; some came to know her by first name only; some avoided her, passing by on the other aisle. She was odd, after all.
She began to attend almost every church function, especially if it included a potluck. Sue would stay behind to help clean up, making sure people knew she was available when leftovers were parceled out. “I could probably use that for my lunch tomorrow…” she would say too loudly, frequently leaving with a container of uneaten food.
One Sunday I found a seat in the rear because I needed to leave a few minutes early. Our congregation of 500 sings a cappella, and as the song service commenced with Twila Paris’ “Lamb of God,” I heard it from over my shoulder: a harsh, dissonant vocal, drowning the harmonies of the beautiful song, to which her singing bore only a vague similarity. It was almost comical, I thought. This would get old by the end of the service, I mused, consciously regretting my seating choice. I heaved a sigh and completely stopped singing; I couldn’t find my note over that racket anyway.
Your only Son no sin to hide
But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod,
And to become the Lamb of God.
She painstakingly sang each and every word far too loudly, as a preschooler might sing. It was an innocent, awful, earnest rendition.
Your gift of Love they crucified
They laughed, and scorned him as he died.
The humble King they named a fraud,
And sacrificed the Lamb of God.
She continued without missing a beat, visibly concentrating on the screen, unaware that her dissonance might be a distraction to the worship of others. I heard each word as if for the first time.
Oh Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God --
I love the Holy Lamb of God;
Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
I was so lost I should have died
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod
And to be called a lamb of God.
Oblivious to the appraisal of those around her, she drew me reluctantly and ashamed to a gift of worship that morning. I was reminded of Isaiah 64:6, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” She reminded me that Christ longs for each one of us -- poorly dressed and dirty, whatever infects or infests us. No refinement or wisdom or pedigree or eloquence or elegance impresses him –- the holy one needs nothing from me. He benefits not at all from the beauty of my performance, from the appropriateness of my clothing, from the insightfulness of my presentation, from the tightness of our harmonies.
We each come to him the same way -- helpless and hopeless in sin. But he cleanses and heals and nourishes and offers peace and reconciliation, and when it is all said and done, he sees us, each one, as holy and blameless, and as worthy and whole. Then he takes even “the least of these,” and empowers us to minister to those around us, as she did for me today — to his glory.
Thank you, sister.
Patti Summers