A man needs regular chores and a regular time to do them. Otherwise he loses the order of his life.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Man Who Rode Midnight)
“Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.”
–John 12:26 (NLT)
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“Alas, and did my Savior bleed? And did my Sov’reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I?”
–Isaac Watts
Would He bleed; would He die; would he, out of devotion give His sacred head? The answer is a resounding, “YES”! There was something on facebook last week that tried to show that Jesus was not a real person; that He was only a myth. They need to get with the studies done on the historical Jesus. There is too much evidence that shows that He did exist. Why is it hard to accept the concept of a Savior?
There is something about this song that has happened over the last few years. In fact, last Sunday I heard it sung the postmodern way. The new version attempts to elevate man. In Watts’ version man is show to be a worm. Today, we like to hear man in a more way, come on, I mean to say that man is a “worm” might hurt his self-esteem. What are we in comparison to God? Isaiah says that we are grasshoppers.
“It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.”
–Isaiah 40:22 (NKJV)
“Was it for crimes that I have done, He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond decree!”
Was He crucified because of a crime you committed, or one that I committed? Was it because of some sin you or I did that caused Him to groan? The asnwer is a resounding “YES”!
Because of that Jesus went to the cross and gave man something that he cannot understand–“grace unknown.” Plus a real, true concept of love. There is so much talk of love, but man only needs to look at Jesus on the cross, the precious gift of the Father to save mankind to see endless love.
“Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died For man the creatures sin.”
Have you noticed the earth seems to be trembling more and more lately? Violent storms seem more and more common where they used to be a rarity. Have you noticed that there are more signs in the skies the past few years? During the first advent of Christ there were storms, signs of His coming and His death. The Bible declares that at the time of His second coming there will also be signs in the heavens and the earth will groan.
“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!”
Martin Luther was grieved that he could not have more remorse. He grieved that he could not repay fully the debt that he owed Christ. Then the Holy Spirit enlightened him–it is grace through faith that we are justified. There is nothing that man can ever do to earn or repay the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross.
Therefore, what is there that we can do for Him? Give ourselves as a living sacrifice. Hand our lives completely over to Him for His service. That does not bring salvation, but it is part of the work that follows salvation, wanting to please the Master.
“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
If was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!”
This song has personal meaning for me. I wanted desperately the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. One night, at a youth service in Fort Collins, CO I went forward at the invitation of Jim Miller the minister that night. The song they were singing was “At the Cross”.
It is only at the cross, where we can receive our sight. Until that time we are blind to the things of God.