What Kind of Love

Written February 2005

This song began as a simple chorus "What kind of love -- endured such pain at my expense." I intended to write a simple reflection of the love of God expressed through the act of the cross. It was meant to be (and is) an Easter song. As I began to work on the verses and fleshed out the song, the Holy Spirit gave it a life and fullness that went far beyond the simple beginning. Instead of a simple Easter song, I received and composed an anthem about God's love in the act of Jesus' death, with a view from the suffering and the cross, and a concluding view from the resurrection.

Mocked, beaten, cast down low
Scourged on your back and flogged
Pierced with nails in hands and feet
Punctured by a thorny crown

Heavy-laden, stricken with grief
Such weakened flesh could not last
Curses, accusations, trials, temptations
Without tasting death

What kind of love!
Bore this, received it, welcomed this suffering
What kind of love!
Endured such pain at my expense
This is how Jesus loved

Empty the tomb where Jesus lay
His body not to be found
To their surpise, He was alive
He rose to higher ground

What kind of love
Overcoming, all-surpassing
What kind of love
Patient, believing, hoping, enduring
This is how God loves

This is how, this is how, this is how God loves
This is how, this is how, this is how God loves

What kind of love
Overcoming, all-surpassing
What kind of love
Patient, believing, hoping, enduring
What kind of love
Bearing, covering, forgetting wrong doing
What kind of love
Never failing, always rejoicing
This is how God loves