Jesu Juva
Galatians 6:14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.
The hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, written by Isaac Watts in 1707, is one of the most captivating hymns about the Cross of Jesus. It helps me see, in a very real way, the cross, that should have been mine.
Below is a verse that Watts intentionally deleted from the hymn prior to publication. I don’t know why he chose to delete it. Just a quick reading of the verse may not capture your attention. But think about it.
His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er his body on the tree;
Then am I dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.1
His blood spread over His body on the cross. Because of that stark picture of Jesus’ sacrifice, Watts verbalized what every believer knows in their heart. Nothing on earth can ever measure up to what our Savior did for us. What scripture comes to mind when you think about what this lyric is telling us?
Did Philippians 3:8 come to mind? Click the link or open your Bible. What are your thoughts? Doesn’t that reach your deepest heart for the Savior?
Below, I have pasted the most often published lyrics to this hymn. There are verses linked as well. Why not take a moment to read the lyrics without the benefit of the pretty melody? Sometimes the music distracts us from the meaning of the lyrics.
1 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.
2 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 through his blood.
3 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?
4 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.
Psalter Hymnal, 1987
If not for the substitutionary death of our Savior on that cross, we would have no hope.
I can give up my grandest dreams and ambitions to live for Jesus with my hands open. I won’t hold on to any joy that I can create or that the world can give to me. I won’t hold on to sin that enslaves me. Jesus made me free.
Psalm 22:14-18 “…they have pierced my hands and feet.”
…Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
John 19:5 A crown of thorns for our King.
James 1:12 A crown of Life for you and me.
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
Isn’t your heart so full?
Jesus
Please take the time to open your Bible. Dedicate real and meaningful time to reading these passages. I know it’s a lot….No. Wearing our sin…that was a lot.
I can tell you, there is nothing like reading out loud to Jesus. We can’t pay Him for all that He did for us. But we can honor Him. Spend time with the Savior.
Soli Deo Gloria
Resources
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Isaac Watts
Ca. 1707 ↩︎
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 