Maker Of The Universe

The implements used to crucify Jesus were made by his own hands

Phil Keaggy is an American guitarist and vocalist. His musical career began in the 1968 when he and a friend formed the band Glass Harp, which was his first commercially successful band. Glass Harp signed a multi-record deal with Decca records, and the band began to travel and perform. Phil states that 1970, the year he turned 18, was a dark year of his life. Among other things, his mother died in a car accident. This caused him to reevaluate his life and, influenced by his sister,  he became a Christian, marking a change to the better. After his conversion,  Phil began to write songs incorporating the Christian theme.

Phil has been a member of several bands since that time, including reuniting Glass Harp. And, throughout the many changes, Phil has routinely incorporated Christian themes into his music. His album "Love Broke Through" was listed in the 2001 book "CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music". He has written and recorded many Christian songs, and was twice nominated for a Grammy Award for the Best Rock Gospel Album.

Phil's song "Maker of the Universe" (lyrics here) is a ballad reflecting on the incarnation and death of Jesus Christ. The song is a poignant yet inspiring introspection of how the very implements and devices used to scourge and crucify Jesus were actually made by his own hands. Though this is quite a logical conclusion stemming from the beginning of the Gospel of St. John : "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be." (Jn 1:1-3), it stands as an uncommon perception and tragic irony.

Thus, Jesus became Man and was cursed by the men he came to save. They used the Law that Jesus wrote as the basis of their reasons for putting him to death. His hands made the boughs which grew the thorns used in his mocking crown, and made the metal used to form the nails which fastened him to the cross. The trees used to make the cross were made by him, as was the hill where Jesus was crucified. Even the sun, which hid its face when Jesus declared "it is finished" was made by his holy hands.

He now sits on a throne that was always his. But now, "every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Phil 2:10).

This is a deeply inspiring song, sung beautifully by Phil. It makes one think of the great love that God has for us all, to go through such considerable effort to welcome us into his kingdom.

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