When I Survey the Woundrous Cross
During an email exchange, a friend mentioned to Page Prewitt that her favorite hymn was "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." Page, in her reply, shares what the words of that hymn mean to her.
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the prince of glory died;
God’s very own precious son
My richest gain I count but loss,
Anything I do, have done or ever will do from an unfaith place is self-effort and sin and is worthless. All of faith is Christ’s and is eternal. Glorious! All from the most menial task to the greatest. Makes life worth living; doesn’t it?
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Ridiculous to think I can do, be, know or accomplish anything independently. Pride in myself is always sin. Pride in Christ and His doings = gratefulness and humility!
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
Not only in His death but in His life also.
All the vain things that charm me most,
All the things Satan tempts me with and tells me are important
I sacrifice them in His blood.
I die to soul desires and fears and live unto who I am.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Jesus is total outpoured love to His universe–He is this in and through me. The problem is real love does not always come to me in forms that I like–make me feel good or make me happy. They (the forms of love) are all good and glorious by faith.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
God’s love is not some sentimental "feel good" thing. It is expressed in God’s broken heart.
Or thorns compose so rich a crown.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
God does not want things from me–even if I had the universe to give. He wants me, his created vessel with no hold back, to live His life through.
More Articles from The Intercessor, Vol 29 No 1
- The Big Lie
- Editor’s Note
- Q & A
- A Look at a Book
- Foreword to Alphabet Soup
- A Life Transformed
- From Elementary to Advanced Faith
- Bible Bedrock: Slaves to Sin or Slaves to Righteousness
- When I Survey the Woundrous Cross
- A Letter From Norman
- Who you really are…and not who you thought you were
- The Self Can’t Be Improved
- The Total Truth About Who We Are in Christ Jesus
- No Longer Slaves To Sin…
- The Ultimate Reality
- Words to Live By
