As I have done in previous Lents I am sharing a daily reflection as part of my Lenten discipline. This year I am using the “Wilderness Wanderings” theme compiled by the “Lent Photo a Day” group. The word appointed for today is “Rock.”

On a clear day, as I drove to the north Clark County site where I am serving as mission developer, I can look out and see the rocks, hills, and mountains of the Cascades. I can see the majestic peaks, crevices, glaciers, and rocks of Mt. St. Helens to the north, Mt. Adams in the east, and Mt. Hood to the south. These three peaks are mighty rocks of nature.

When I think about the idea of a rock theologically though, I am obviously drawn to Jesus. I am reminded of one of my favorite Lenten hymns, the great spiritual, “Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land.” The words of the song flow together in my head to a nice swing beat:

“Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land; my Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm. No one can do like Jesus, not a mumbling word he said; he went walking down to Lazarus’ grave, and he raised him from the dead. When Jesus was on earth, the flesh was very weak; he took a towel and girded himself and he washed his disciples’ feet. Yonder comes my Savior, him whom I love so well; he has the palm of victory and the keys of death and hell. Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land; my Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm.”

What does it mean that “Jesus is a Rock?” For me, it’s a reminder about Jesus’ presence, and God’s promise that God is with us, no matter the situation. It means that we can trust in that.

When the uncertainty, fear, and doubt of life creep in? When the pains of heartbreak or injury appear, Jesus is our Rock.

As we travel through Lent, what does it mean for you that Jesus is a Rock? Who else might be a rock for you, no matter what storms may be brewing or pouring around you? 

Source: “Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land,” African American spiritual, found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2006), 333.