We all age. Our bodies change. But what’s in our hearts doesn’t.”
–Jeffrey J. Mariotte (O’Meara’s Gold)
“Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”
“Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”
–Galatians 1:4 (NKJV)
——————————-
The Cross plus the Resurrection–you cannot have one without the other. The result of which is that marvelous Grace. Today I just want to tantalize your thinking and contemplation with a few of the great hymns of this wonderful weekend.
“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.”
–Isaac Watts
Do we really consider the cross “wondrous”? Do we ever stop to really consider what took place on that cross? What did Jesus mean when He cried, “It is finished!”? Look back at the cross, what do you see? What do you hope for?
“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.”
–George Bernard
Be careful, however, that you do not make the cross an idol. Some wear it around their neck, but it is not magical. It does not keep the demons at bay. It was what took place on that cross that makes it so significant, so powerful, so wondrous. Look at the chorus of F.A. Graves hymn.
“He was nailed to the cross for me,
He was nailed to the cross for me;
On the cross crucified, for me He died;
He was nailed to the cross for me.”
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
How do you remember Calvary? Does it strike fear in your heart? Do you weep and sorrow over what took place? Perhaps we should develop a different perspective. True, what took place was hideous, in fact, more than we’ll ever know. But it is called Good Friday for a reason, and remember the great sermon by S.M. Lockridge–“It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming!”
“Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Saviour!
Waiting the coming day Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign,
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!”
–Robert Lowry
One more and I’ll close for today. I would urge you to get a songbook and read through the great hymns of the Church regarding the Cross and the Resurrection. We would be lost for eternity if Jesus had not come to be the perfect, complete sacrifice and then defeated the evilness of sin. We now have the opportunity to live in eternity with Him forever because of His matchless grace.
“Marvelous grace of loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.”
–Julia H. Johnston
——————————-
The Cross plus the Resurrection–you cannot have one without the other. The result of which is that marvelous Grace. Today I just want to tantalize your thinking and contemplation with a few of the great hymns of this wonderful weekend.
“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.”
–Isaac Watts
Do we really consider the cross “wondrous”? Do we ever stop to really consider what took place on that cross? What did Jesus mean when He cried, “It is finished!”? Look back at the cross, what do you see? What do you hope for?
“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.”
–George Bernard
Be careful, however, that you do not make the cross an idol. Some wear it around their neck, but it is not magical. It does not keep the demons at bay. It was what took place on that cross that makes it so significant, so powerful, so wondrous. Look at the chorus of F.A. Graves hymn.
“He was nailed to the cross for me,
He was nailed to the cross for me;
On the cross crucified, for me He died;
He was nailed to the cross for me.”
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
How do you remember Calvary? Does it strike fear in your heart? Do you weep and sorrow over what took place? Perhaps we should develop a different perspective. True, what took place was hideous, in fact, more than we’ll ever know. But it is called Good Friday for a reason, and remember the great sermon by S.M. Lockridge–“It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming!”
“Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Saviour!
Waiting the coming day Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign,
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!”
–Robert Lowry
One more and I’ll close for today. I would urge you to get a songbook and read through the great hymns of the Church regarding the Cross and the Resurrection. We would be lost for eternity if Jesus had not come to be the perfect, complete sacrifice and then defeated the evilness of sin. We now have the opportunity to live in eternity with Him forever because of His matchless grace.
“Marvelous grace of loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.”
–Julia H. Johnston