Lamb of God has become an Easter Season Tradition in Metro Denver
By Carol Gibbs, Littleton Stake Interfaith Specialist
On March 21, 2024, the ninth season of the Easter Oratorio Lamb of God by Rob Gardner began at the Newman Center at the University of Denver Center for Performing Arts. Lamb of God has been presented each year since 2014 (except 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic) by the Littleton Colorado Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Assisted in the production by Cornerstone Productions, the Oratorio is performed by the Cornerstone Choir and Orchestra and by soloists selected from auditions by a significant number of men and women.
For the third year, a Community Leaders Reception was held before one of the performances. This year, 165 community leaders mingled, received a greeting from Area Seventy Elder Rick Balli, and then watched a performance of Lamb of God. Communication Council leaders from the North and South Metro Denver Coordinating Council collaborated to bring together Pastors and other faith Leaders, government leaders, non profit and business leaders. All enjoyed an evening of good will, shared hopes for the metro Denver community, and a beautiful, musical testimony of Jesus Christ.
Lamb of God is a powerful telling in music and narration of the last days of the Savior’s mortal life, his betrayal, trial, crucifixion, resurrection and post resurrection earthly ministry. Soloists perform the roles of several of Jesus’s closest associates and of his mother Mary. In addition to Mary, soloists include Mary Magdalene, sisters Martha and Mary, Apostles Peter, John, Thomas, and Judas.
Composer Rob Gardner uses the New Testament Gospels as his source and he imagines the feelings of those close to Jesus. In response to Jesus’ statement at the last supper that one of the Twelve “shall betray me,” (Matthew 25:21), John sings, “Lord is it I, Would ever I betray thee? Having known thy love could I so cruelly turn away? Could my heart so fail Thee and my feeling turn so cold? If I should leave Thee, where would I go?” Then Thomas echoes John, singing, “Lord, is it I, am I then to betray Thee? Having seen thy wonders could my foolish heart be swayed? Is my faith so little that my soul would cease to burn? If I should wander where would I turn?” And then Peter joins the questioning, “Lord, is it I? Could ever I betray Thee? Having followed with Thee, could I seek some other way? If I should leave thee, whom would I seek?” And then the three affirm their devotion singing, “O Savior! Thou art my only shepherd. Thou art the only way…Oh, may I ever serve thee.” And even Judas asks, “Master, is it I?”
After expressing their devotion to Him, scripture records that Jesus stated, “All ye shall be offended because of me this night” (Matthew 26:31), to which Peter replied, “though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.” (Matthew 26:33). And Jesus answered him, “this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny my thrice.” (Matthew 26:34). And so Peter did. In one of the most powerful songs in the Oratorio, the composer puts words and feelings to what we know from scripture, that after denying Jesus three times, “he went out and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:75). Peter sings, “What have I done? Denied Him! What have I done? What have I done? Oh God! What have I done? As Thou hast taken stripes for me, Could I not take but one for thee.” Peter closes this powerful song, singing, “For I know the Man! I know Him! I know this Man! But, when my eyes are closed in death. These words shall hang on my last breath…I know Him.”
The central theme of Lamb of God is expressed in song by Jesus’ mother, Mary. After witnessing His brutal crucifixion, she sings, Here is Hope. “He who healed our sorrows. Here was bruised and broken. He whose love no end knows. Here was forsaken, left all alone. Sweeter peace unfolds me: Hope did not die here, but here was given. Here is Hope. He who was rejected, He knew well my longing. He so long expected…Carried our burdens, bore every sorrow; Here, Here, Here is Hope! Here is Hope unbounded Here is all compassion Here is mercy founded! Hope did not die here, but here was given. And ours is the victory. Here is Hope.”
Lamb of God is produced as an Easter gift to the community and declaration that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and see Him as the source of all saving hope. Many of the nearly 2,700 people who attended are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They came as guests of or by invitation of members of the church. One such guest wrote, “It was amazing! Truly stunning vocals and I really enjoyed how they told the story of Christ in that way.” Another conveyed, “I am reaching out to express my deepest gratitude for giving me the tickets for Lamb of God. It was magnificent and beautiful to behold. I was blessed. Thank you so much.” And another expressed, “Lamb of God was AMAZING – once again. Thank you so much for including us. I see Lamb of God as a new tradition in preparation for Easter.”
Lamb of God is now indeed an Easter tradition in metro Denver. 2025 performances are scheduled for March 20, 21 and 22. If you would like to audition to be part of the cast next year, audition information will be on Conerstone’s Website January 2025.
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