What Wondrous Love Is This

Sometimes it is difficult to place the meditations of the heart into words. Even when words come to mind they some how feel inadequate. During the last few weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday, I have found myself meditating on the cross. Doing a series of sermons on the words of Jesus from the cross has been both difficult and rewarding. The context for all of these sermons is the crucifixion of Jesus, and so it is only natural that I find the cross continually returning to my mind.

Meditating on the cross creates in me anxiety at times. It causes me to feel like I don't know enough about it. It makes me realize the coldness of my heart toward the death of Christ. Meditating on the cross demonstrates the ease with which the world can seduce me and draw me away from my first love, Jesus.

Meditating on the cross also creates in me love, devotion, and gratitude. When I think of the the lengths that Jesus went through to secure my pardon with the Father, I can't help but feel love. I am unworthy of his care and kindness. The cross not only reminds me that salvation is all of grace, but that it is all of great over-abounding grace lavished upon us for God's own pleasure. He delights in redeeming us, and that should astound us.

The reality is that meditating on the cross should bring us into a state of humble submission to God. The old hymn, "What Wondrous Love Is This," captures it wonderfully:

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this,
That caused the Lord of bliss,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down,
Beneath God's righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb
Who is the great "I Am,"
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on,
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyfully be,
And thro' eternity I'll sing on,
And thro' eternity I'll sing on.