A Closer Walk
"And can it be that I should gain An int'rest in the Savior's blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?" Charles Wesley 1717-1788; music by Thomas Campbell 1777-1844. Amazing indeed. That our God, the Lord Jesus Christ should die for us? You and me? Amazing indeed.
And can it be that I, human frail and prone to stumbling, should gain an interest in the Savior's blood? He died for me; us, you and I, the ones who caused His pain? He pursued us all the way unto His death. To pay the price for our sin, you and I. Amazing love! How can it be that He should die for us, you and I?
The Lord Jesus took our place and allowed Himself to be tried for sins He did not commit. He was beaten in our place. Then allowed Himself to be hung on a cross. He did that for us, you and I. He willfully and deliberately put Himself into the place we deserved to be. Because it was our sins that He was being offered as the propitiation (payment in full) for. Said another way, we held the hammer and pounded the nails that held Him on that cross.
Charles Wesley, the younger brother of John Wesley who was better known than Charles and founded the Methodist movement, wrote these words as poem. Charles is most widely known for writing more than 6500 hymns, some of which we still use today; including the one quoted above. His hymns include: “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing,” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
The theology contained in all these hymns is a blessing to us every time we are privileged to sing or hear them. They remind us of who our Savior is and why we should worship and follow Him. From “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” as we sing it today, including with the adaptations by George Whitefield: “Hark! The herald angels sing 'Glory to the newborn king; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled' Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim 'Christ is born in Behtlehem' Hark! The herald angels sing 'Glory to the newborn king.'” Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. God and sinners reconciled!
Because of Jesus saving Ministry we, you and I, can be reconciled with God. That is truly something to sing about!
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me; bless His His holy name...Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the Lord, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord, O my soul!” Psalm 103:1 and 21-22 NASB.