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Sunday, April 12, 2009

Surveying the Cross


Today, being Easter, it was a big day at our funny little church. Our band of followers sang some traditional and not so traditional songs. We listened as one of our teachers, Jack Crabtree, spoke of Jesus that had/was risen from the dead. We participated in one of our very seldom communions.  But what struck me most was the emotion I felt as we began to sing the following song, "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross." I try to live the words, believe what is said in the song. Sometimes it feels like only an ideology, a belief system that seems archaic and especially when I wait year after year, day after day for the return of my Lord. But when I tried to sing this song, the words would not come out. The belief of these words is already written on my heart. I have gratitude for the Son of God who took the place of my wretched self. I will wait, impatiently, yet I will wait.




When I Survey The Wondrous Cross - Issac Watts
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

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.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

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.