The season of Lent is often marked by quietude and introspection, a time when we strip away the noise of the world to gaze upon the Cross. The lyrics of this hymn serve as a powerful lens for that gaze, forcing us to confront the sheer magnitude of what was surrendered—and what was gained—at Calvary.

From Splendor to Solitude

The opening lines remind us that Christ’s sacrifice did not begin at the Cross; it began with a departure. To leave the “splendor of heaven” implies a voluntary exchange of perfect peace for human pain. Lent invites us to reflect on this intentionality. Jesus wasn’t a victim of circumstance; he moved toward Golgotha “knowing His destiny.” This tells us that His love is not a passive feeling, but a deliberate, courageous choice made with the end clearly in sight.

The Logic of the Impossible

The chorus uses “impossible” imagery to describe the reality of God’s grace:

• An empty ocean
• A starless sky
• A flightless bird

By comparing His love to these fundamental constants of nature, the song suggests that God’s love is even more foundational to our existence than the physical world around us. To deny His love would be to deny reality itself. In our moments of doubt or desertion during Lent, we are reminded that His grace is the only thing truly holding the universe together.

Compassion in Extremis

Perhaps the most touching reflection found in these lyrics is the mention of the thief. Even in the throes of agony, Christ’s heart remained outward-facing. He did not let His own suffering blind Him to the suffering of the person hanging next to Him. This is the essence of the Lenten challenge: to love even when it costs us everything. If Jesus could offer “Paradise” while nailed to a cross, we are called to offer at least a fraction of that compassion to those we encounter in our daily lives.

He left the splendor of heaven
Knowing His destiny
Was the lonely hill of Golgotha
There to lay down His life for me

CHORUS:
If that isn’t love the ocean is dry
There’s no stars in the sky
And the sparrow can fly!
If that isn’t love then heaven’s a myth
There’s no feeling like this
If that isn’t love.

Even in death He remembered
The thief hanging by His side;
He spoke with love and compassion
Then He took him to Paradise.

✍️Nikki