Christian Art | George Herbert | Sepulchre | The Church | Good Friday
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Sepulchre
O blessed bodie! Whither art thou thrown?
No lodging for thee, but a cold hard stone?
So many hearts on earth, and yet not one
Receive thee?
Sure there is room within our hearts good store;
For they can lodge transgressions by the score:
Thousands of toyes dwell there, yet out of doore
They leave thee.
But that which shews them large, shews them unfit.
What ever sinne did this pure rock commit,
Which holds thee now? Who hath indited it
Of murder?
Where our hard hearts have took up stones to brain thee,
And missing this, most falsly did arraigne thee;
Onely these stones in quiet entertain thee,
And order.
And as of old, the law by heav’nly art
Was writ in stone; so thou, which also art
The letter of the word, find’st no fit heart
To hold thee.
Yet do we still persist as we began,
And so should perish, but that nothing can,
Though it be cold, hard, foul, from loving man
Withold thee.
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Sepulchre
This poem addresses the burial and rejection of Christ’s body, using images of coldness, hardness, and stone to explore themes of human indifference, sin, and divine love. The poet begins by questioning where Christ’s body is placed, lamenting that it finds rest on ‘a cold hard stone’. Despite the existence of ‘so many hearts on earth’, none is receptive enough to ‘receive thee’, symbolizing the rejection and abandonment Christ endures even in death. The stone, a literal image of Christ’s tomb, also symbolizes the hardened state of human hearts unwilling to accept or contain him.
The poet observes that human hearts often house ‘transgressions by the score’ and ‘thousands of toys’ or distractions, which contrasts with their exclusion of Christ. This rejection implies that humanity’s preoccupation with sin and worldly concerns makes hearts unfit for Jesus’ presence. The line, ‘But that which shows them large, shows them unfit,’ reflects the paradox that, though the human heart has room for many things, its openness to sin renders it unsuitable for Christ’s purity. The poet questions what ‘sin’ this ‘pure rock’ committed to deserve holding Christ’s body, underscoring the innocence of Christ and the irony of his entombment.
In the third stanza, the poet compares human hearts to the stone in the tomb, noting that while people have metaphorically ‘took up stones to brain thee’, symbolizing their readiness to harm Christ through sin, only the literal stones of the tomb ‘in quiet entertain thee, / And order’. This line suggests that the physical stones are more suited to hold Christ than the metaphorically hard, sinful hearts of humanity. Here, the stone represents not only the tomb but the enduring rejection and mistreatment Christ experiences from humankind, juxtaposed against the peace and order Jesus finds in death.
The poet then draws a parallel between the stone tablets of the Old Testament law and the stone that now holds Christ’s body. As the law was once ‘writ in stone’ by divine command, so too does Christ, the ‘letter of the word’, encounter hardness and rejection from human hearts. This comparison underscores the continuity between God’s previous revelation through the law and the fulfillment of that revelation in Christ. The ‘letter of the word’ phrase emphasizes that Christ embodies divine truth, yet even so, finds ‘no fit heart / To hold thee’. In this light, Christ’s rejection by hardened hearts reflects humanity’s ongoing resistance to God’s message, both in its original form and its embodied form in Christ.
In the concluding stanza, the poet acknowledges humanity’s persistence in sin, admitting that without divine intervention, people would ‘perish’. However, despite human sinfulness—described as ‘cold, hard, foul’—nothing ‘can…withhold thee’ from ‘loving man’. This ending affirms Christ’s unconditional love, which persists in the face of humanity’s continued rejection and failings. Although human hearts are unworthy and resistant, divine love endures, illustrating a contrast between human weakness and divine constancy.
The poem uses imagery of stone and hardness to illustrate human indifference and moral inadequacy, contrasting it with Christ’s steadfast love and sacrifice. Through this contrast, the poem conveys the idea that divine love transcends human rejection and remains unwavering, even when it is met with indifference and sin.
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Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ In this passage, Jesus extends an invitation to all who are weary and burdened. Jesus promises rest and relief, urging us to take his yoke and learn from him. Jesus’ gentle and humble heart offers rest for our souls, emphasizing that his yoke is easy and his burden light. This passage is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, who offers us rest and peace amid our struggles. Prayer Dear Jesus, In times of uncertainty and despair, I turn to you, the source of all hope. Fill my heart with your hope that transcends understanding. Help me to trust in your promises and to find joy and peace in your presence. May your hope renew my spirit and give me the strength to face each day with confidence and faith. Let your hope shine through me, bringing light to others who are in need. Amen. Personal Reflection What are the situations in your life that seem hopeless? How can you invite Jesus’ hope into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced renewed hope through your faith in Christ. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 is a passage that speaks directly to our need for hope and rest. Jesus’ invitation to come to him is extended to all who are weary and burdened, offering a refuge from the struggles of life. This invitation is not just a call to physical rest but a deeper spiritual rest that brings peace to our souls. Jesus understands the burdens we carry and offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The imagery of a yoke suggests partnership and guidance; by taking on his yoke, we align ourselves with him, allowing him to share our burdens and guide our steps. This partnership is marked by learning from Jesus, whose gentle and humble heart sets an example for us. The promise of rest for our souls is comforting. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed and stressed, Jesus assures us that he is our source of true rest and peace. His rest is not temporary or superficial but a peace that sustains us through life’s challenges. This promise gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we face, we can find solace in Jesus. Reflecting on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of surrendering our burdens to Jesus. It requires trust and faith to let go of our anxieties and allow him to take control. This surrender is an act of faith, acknowledging that Jesus is capable and willing to carry our burdens. As we learn to trust him more, we experience the peace and rest he promises. The hope we find in Jesus is transformative. It renews our spirits and gives us the strength to persevere. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances but on the nature of Jesus and his promises. It is a hope that empowers us to face each day with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. As we embrace this hope, we are called to share it with others. The hope we receive from Jesus is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be a light for others who are struggling. Through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and simply being present, we can extend Jesus’ invitation of hope and rest to those around us. By living out this hope, we reflect Christ’s love and bring his light into the world. In practical terms, fostering hope involves daily practices that keep us connected to Jesus. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and being part of a faith community help us to stay grounded in our faith and renew our hope. These practices remind us of Jesus’ promises and keep our focus on him rather than on our circumstances. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the anchor of my hope. In moments of doubt and despair, remind me of your promises. Fill my heart with your joy and peace, and let your hope overflow in my life. Help me to trust in your plans and to find strength in your presence. May your hope shine in me, guiding me through every trial and illuminating the path ahead. Use me as a beacon of your hope, bringing comfort and encouragement to those in need. Thank you for the gift of your eternal hope. Amen. Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ Blessing May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. May you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may His hope guide and sustain you in all things. Amen.
