When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

I love the Easter season! I grew up in a Lutheran church, where Lent was observed by weekly Wednesday night services beginning with Ash Wednesday. Although I don’t see any scripture basis for Lenten services, those services were an important part in my life.

Lent . . . 40 days leading up to Easter . . . is a time of soul-searching and repentance . . . a time to reflect on the road to the cross and the work of the cross! Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism.


I love this old hymn . . .

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.

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.


LOVE SO AMAZING, SO DIVINE DEMANDS MY SOUL, MY LIFE, MY ALL!

"For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, who will not share your affections with any other god!" Deut. 5:8

"And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength." Deut. 6:5