1. How I wish my friends were here
Before you, much-loved Son;
My family, neighbours, enemies –
For then we would be one.
2. I wish all prisoners were here,
No matter what they’ve done;
All refugees and homeless, Lord –
For then we would be one.
3. I wish the suffering were here,
The poor, the old, the young;
And those, Lord, who have lost their faith –
For then we would be one.
4. But now I see that all are here –
The dead, and those to come,
And we, who are in exile –
For your Spirit makes us one.
References
1. This is my beloved Son (Luke 9:35; NKJV).
Though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body (1 Corinthians 10:17; NLT).
2. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come (Luke 4:18-19; NLT).
I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one (John 17:22; NLT).
3. Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28; NLT).
Whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; NIV).
4. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose – to be Lord both of the living and of the dead (Romans 14:9; NLT).
I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile (Ezekiel 11:16; NLT).
You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).