I hadn't heard this song in years until it was played at the Good Friday service at my MIL's church last night. It's such a beautiful song with a great message. How easy it is to be horrified at the soldiers who cast lots for Jesus' clothing right there below Him as He was hanging on the cross for their sins -- yet how often do are we often found Playing Games at the Foot of the Cross?
At Easter it is always so hard for me to choose what to post because there are so many wonderful songs about the incredible sacrifice Christ made on our behalf. This is another song from last night's service that I hadn't heard in awhile.
We are about to enter the week when we reflect on the cross and the amazing grace Christ poured out for us with His blood. I couldn't choose between these two songs, so I decided to post both of them!
I still think of this as a newer song, but it's almost as old as I am. It was new when I was growing up!
I like many of the contemporary songs that are sung in today's churches. I got to thinking, though, how so many of the current worship songs have been "sanitized" -- they focus on grace and glory and don't even mention the blood that Jesus shed for us. I just googled and looked at the list of the Top 100+ Worship Songs on the CCLI site (the company that gives churches the licenses to print lyrics in bulletins and on screens). Not one song had "blood" in its title. As I perused the list of songs, I recognized only four as being songs that talk about Christ's suffering: Chris Tomlin's The Wonderful Cross, Stuart Townsend's How Deep the Father's Love for Us. Darlene Zschech's Worthy is the Lamb and Stuart Townsend/Keith Getty's In Christ Alone.
That's why I love so many of the old hymns. They contain wonderful theology and don't shy away from mentioning the price Christ paid for our redemption.
I think if we will be singing about the blood in eternity, as we are told in Revelation, that we should be singing about it here on earth!
And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:9, 12
Here's a beautiful old hymn that reminds us that "Nothing but the Blood" can wash away our sins!
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, The shadow of a mighty rock Within a weary land; A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way, From the burning of the noontide heat, And the burden of the day.
Upon that cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me; And from my stricken heart with tears Two wonders I confess: The wonders of redeeming love And my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face; Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss, My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the cross.
WORDS: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1868 MUSIC: Frederick C. Maker
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (I Corinthians 1:18)
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)
He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Colossians 2:14-15)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
Today and tomorrow, churches all over the world will gather to partake of the bread and the fruit of the vine in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, just as Jesus instructed his disciples at the last Passover meal He shared with them.
When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Luke 22:14-20
One of my favorite memories from my high school church choir days was our singing of the musical Celebrate Life. Here's a beautiful song from that musical.
Some of the dearest scriptures to me as a mom are the ones that speak of Mary, the mother of Jesus, treasuring and pondering in her heart events from Jesus' youth. (Luke 2:19, 51) I can't even wrap my mind around what it must have been like to be His mother - during His childhood, throughout His ministry, at His crucifixion, after His resurrection.
We most often associate Mark Lowry's beautiful song Mary, Did You Know? with Christmas. But it is also an incredibly poignant song during this Holy Week. I love hearing it juxtaposed with the images in this video.
And if that didn't stir your heart, I guarantee that this post by Missy will!
The beauty of the cross is its absolute totality. Whether one is 7 or 70, living in a mansion or on the streets or on death row, a faithful servant of God or a hardened reprobate, when we lay our sin at the foot of the cross, we discover that Calvary Covers It All
I hadn't thought about this song in years, but it popped into my head when I began thinking about what songs to feature this week. I love the quiet reflectful way Dave Boyer sings this.
Calvary covers it all All my past, with its sin and shame My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there And Calvary covers it all
Far dearer than all that this world can impart Is the message came to my heart. How that Jesus alone for my sin did atone, And Calvary covers it all.
I sometimes say that I was born about 30 years too late, because I love hymns. Sometimes, however, it's easy to just sing them by rote - verse, chorus, verse, chorus, etc. - without thinking through the words that are coming from our lips. How much more meaningful it is when we slow down and sing the words from our heart.
I love this arrangement of a wonderful old hymn. Allow it to speak to your heart as you meditate on the cross.
AT THE CROSS by Isaac Watts, 1707
Alas! and did my Savior bleed And did my Sov’reign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I?
Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day!
Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine— And bathed in its own blood— While the firm mark of wrath divine, His soul in anguish stood.
Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!
Well might the sun in darkness hide And shut his glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin.
Thus might I hide my blushing face While His dear cross appears, Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt my eyes to tears.
But drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of love I owe: Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’Tis all that I can do.
One of the things that has made Easter really special for me in the past few years is time spent reflecting on the cross of Calvary. As believers, we can find ourselves so focused on the resurrection and the joy it brings that we ignore the cross that preceded it. But there can be no resurrection without a death. And the Bible clearly states that Jesus endured horrific suffering and a painful, agonizing death on the cross. Acknowledging and meditating on that makes the wonder of His resurrection that much more glorious. We don't want to get stuck on Good Friday, but we shouldn't skip it either!
About 20 years ago Steve Green recorded this song Embrace the Cross that is a beautiful reminder of the juxtaposed sorrow and beauty of the cross. Reflect on its beautiful message as you worship God today.
EMBRACE THE CROSS
I am crucified with Christ Therefore I no longer live Jesus Christ now lives in me (Repeat twice)
Embrace the cross Where Jesus suffered Though it will cost All you claim as yours Your sacrifice will seem small Beside the treasure Eternity can't measure What Jesus holds in store
Embrace the love The cross requires Cling to the one Whose heart knew every pain Receive from Jesus Fountains of compassion Only He can fashion Your heart to move as His
Oh, wondrous cross our desires rest in you Lord Jesus make us bolder To face with courage the shame and disgrace You bore upon Your shoulder
Embrace the life That comes from dying Come trace the steps The Savior walked for you An empty tomb Concludes Golgotha's sorrow Endure then till tomorrow Your cross of suffering Embrace the cross Embrace the cross The cross of Jesus
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
The cross is possibly one of the most recognized symbols of Christianity. Some (wrongly) embrace it as an idol in itself. Others flippantly wear it or display it while exhibiting behavior that is contradictory to its message. We have all likely treated it casually, beautifying for a piece of jewelry or wall-hanging an eye-pleasing replica of that which was rough and crude and barbaric.
Numerous songs speak of the cross and its significance, attempting to describe with mortal words what occurred on a hillside 2000 years ago.
One ancient song has become more dear to me as I have gotten older. It's not a catchy or popular song like the more well-known hymns such as At the Cross, The Old Rugged Cross, or At Calvary. Rather, it's a beautiful, contemplative song reflecting on Christ's sacrifice. . . and our response.
Bernard of Clairvaux was one of the most influential Christians of the Middle Ages. He settled disputes between kings, and he influenced the selection of popes. Yet he remained single-minded in his devotion to Christ. He is honored by Protestants as well as by Roman Catholics. The great reformer Martin Luther, who disliked many of the medieval theologians, said "Bernard loved Jesus as much as anyone can."
Today he is remembered for his hymns of devotion to Christ. "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" comes from a poem of seven sections, each section focusing on a wounded part of the crucified Savior's body -- his feet, knees, hands, side, chest, heart, and head. The words compel us to look at the cross until the depth of God's love overwhelms us.
Here's a beautiful rendition of this song with scenes from The Passion of the Christ.
O SACRED HEAD NOW WOUNDED
O sacred Head, now wounded, With grief and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded With thorns, Thine only crown How pale thou art with anguish, With sore abuse and scorn! How doth Thy visage languish Which once was bright as morn!
What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, 'Twas all for sinners' gain; Mine, mine was the transgression, But Thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve Thy place; Look on me with Thy favor, Vouchsafe to me Thy grace.
What language shall I borrow To thank Thee, dearest friend, For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? O make me Thine forever, And should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never Outlive my love for Thee.
WORDS: Bernard of Clairvaux, 1153 Translated from Latin to German by Paul Gerhardt (1656) Translated from Latin to English by James W. Alexander* (1830) MUSIC: Hans L. Hassler, 1601 Harmony by J. S. Bach, 1729
*Here's the original long poem as translated in 1830:
O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown; How pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn! How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!
What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain; Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place; Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.
Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance, Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance. How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn! How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!
Now from Thy cheeks has vanished their color once so fair; From Thy red lips is banished the splendor that was there. Grim death, with cruel rigor, hath robbed Thee of Thy life; Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength in this sad strife.
My burden in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me, For it was my transgression which brought this woe on Thee. I cast me down before Thee, wrath were my rightful lot; Have mercy, I implore Thee; Redeemer, spurn me not!
What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend, For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.
My Shepherd, now receive me; my Guardian, own me Thine. Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine. Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love; Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.
Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part; O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart, When soul and body languish in death’s cold, cruel grasp, Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.
The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside, When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide. O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see, Beside Thy cross expiring, I’d breathe my soul to Thee.
My Savior, be Thou near me when death is at my door; Then let Thy presence cheer me, forsake me nevermore! When soul and body languish, oh, leave me not alone, But take away mine anguish by virtue of Thine own!
Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die; Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.
Be sure to go by Amy's blog for more songs to bless your weekend!
When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died,
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
My richest gain, I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
But whatever was to my profit
I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
What is more, I consider everything a loss
compared to the surpassing greatness
of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whose sake I have lost all things.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted.
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body,
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
~ ~ ~
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy,
to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
I'm in my "fabulous fifties" and my husband and I have been married 25 years. We have a son and a daughter who are both in college. so we are reluctantly entering the empty-nest years. I was an RN in my former (pre-kids) life which comes in handy as I serve in our church's care ministry.
Chatting over a cup of coffee with a friend to encourage and support one another (and share a laugh or even a tear) is one of my favorite things to do.
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