And, Can It Be?

Have you considered that God promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you?” (Hebrews 13:5). Among the last words to His disciples Jesus similarly, assured, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Shouldn’t we be deeply moved by the irony and apparent contradiction of one of Jesus’ statements from the cross, “‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’—which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:46) The One who promised never to leave to leave us was abandoned!

Charles Wesley’s 272-year-old hymn captures the poignancy and power of what Jesus has done for all who will call on His Name. The lyrics move me to tears, my soul shivers, shaking with truth.

1.
And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2.
'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.

3.
He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!

4.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray; I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

5.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

I do hope that Wesley’s triumph in capturing truth in glorious lyric will be sung in one of the Holy Week services Pat and I will attend. In the meantime, I’ll be singing it to myself!