The OrchardExemplo

Kindness: Titus 3:4–8a

Read through the poem twice. After taking time on the first reading to familiarize yourself with the passage, on the second, take time to ponder and notice.

The “Saying” of the Savior’s Epiphany

4–5 Not because of righteous works we have done,
but by his mercy, God our Savior rescued us.
His epiphany came with love and kindness.
He lavishly poured his sacred Spirit upon us.

6 This Spirit regenerates, renews, and washes—
thanks to the grace of Jesus Christ our Savior

7 who made us right with God and heirs of eternal life.

8 We can count on this trustworthy saying.

Philip Comfort, The Poems and Hymns of the New Testament. Used by permission of Wipf and Stock Publishers. www.wipfandstock.com

Where the passage in 1 Peter exemplifies patience in the example of Christ, this passage focuses on our unworthiness and rescue due to the love and kindness of God. It also points forward to our transformation and renewal not just rescue. Renewal coming as a generous act of the Spirit. Once again, the purpose is our right relationship with God as it was in the passage on patience.

The use of the term Savior is repeated in both stanzas highlighting both the act of our rescue and our need of it. Both times it is in the context of mercy/grace.

The main image in the music comes from the fifth line of the poem i.e. the idea of the Spirit’s work of kindness in renewing and washing. I had in mind rain or water droplets leading to a lavish river with this piece. There are also strong references to the Spirit motif from the beginning of Love.

We can count on this trustworthy saying…. Amen.