I remember this song from Sheila Walsh’s heyday back in the ’80s, but I’ve never been able to find a copy of it; I’m glad to have Phil Keaggy’s version, but I don’t like his musical interpretation as well. It may be more fitting, though, as it’s certainly more mournful; and though he didn’t write this, it attests to his eye for a good lyric. He is and always has been a lot more than just a brilliant guitarist, after all. Anyway, I’ve liked this song for a long time—especially in my more cynical moods, or on days when loving the church is hard.
Jesus Loves the Church
You say that you believe in us—at times, I wonder why;
You say you see the Father in our eyes.
But I think if I were you, Lord, I’d wash my hands today,
And turn my back on all our alibis.Chorus:
For we crucify each other, leaving a battered, wounded bride—
But Jesus loves the church;
So we’ll walk the aisle of history, toward the marriage feast,
For Jesus loves the church.We fight like selfish children vying for that special prize;
We struggle with our gifts before your face.
And I know you look with sorrow at the blindness in our eyes
As we trip each other halfway through the race.Chorus
I want to learn to love like you; I don’t know where to start.
I want to see them all but through your eyes.
For you believed enough to live amidst the madding crowd,
Enough to die before our very eyes.Chorus
And as you hung in naked grief, bleeding for our crimes,
You saw our fickle hearts and cried,
“I love you—you are mine.”Words: Sheila Walsh; music: Phil Keaggy
© 1989 Word Music/Sebastian Music
From the album philkeaggy, by Phil Keaggy
Update, 10/23/15: Here’s Sheila Walsh’s version. 🙂