The Willing Sacrifice

From Hymns and Poems by A.L.O.E. Public Domain.

The precious blood of Christ my Lord,

The Saviour all-divine,

Was shed to cleanse men’s souls from guilt;

That blood has flowed for mine!

But what return can sinners make

For love so great, so free?

All is too little, oh! my God,

To sacrifice to Thee.

If all I possessed on earth,

Before Thy feet were laid,

Light as the dust the gift would prove

In heaven’s balance weighed.

The costly treasures of the skies

Thou didst resign for me;

All is too little, oh! my God,

To sacrifice to Thee.

But Thou wilt not disdain a heart

That would Thy word obey,

That loves to own the mighty debt

It never hopes to pay.

For were each hair upon my head

A separate life to be,

All were too little, oh! my God,

To sacrifice to Thee.

~~~

Photograph taken from publicdomainpictures.net.

What Does Jesus' Death and Resurrection Mean to You?

As we near Resurrection Sunday (or "Easter"), our thoughts should linger on the wondrous work on the cross. Several words come to mind when I think about Jesus' Resurrection:

Love

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
(John 3:16)

 “Greater love hath no man than this, 
that a man lay down his life for his friends.” 
(John 15:13)

Freedom

 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” 

(John 8:36)

“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed 
from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” 
(Romans 6:17-18)

New Life

 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: 
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 
(2 Corinthians 5:17)

 “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: 
that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, 
even so we also should walk in newness of life.” 
(Romans 6:4)

Hope

“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: 
for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 
But if we hope for that we see not, 
then do we with patience wait for it.” 
(Romans 8:24-25)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again 
unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, 
and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 
ready to be revealed in the last time.” 
(1 Peter 1:3-5)

What does Christ’s Resurrection mean for you?
Please share thoughts, verses, and quotes.

~~~

Photograph taken from publicdomainpictures.net.

He Died for Me

This poem was penned by John Newton, who is most known for his hymn, "Amazing Grace." 

I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agony and blood;
He fixed His languid eyes on me,
As near His cross I stood.

Oh, can it be, upon a tree
The Savior died for me?
My soul is thrilled,
My heart is filled,
To think He died for me!

Sure, never, till my latest breath,
Can I forget that look:
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Tho' not a word He spoke.

Oh, can it be, upon a tree
The Savior died for me?
My soul is thrilled,
My heart is filled,
To think He died for me!

My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair;
I saw my sins His blood had spilt
And helped to nail Him there.

Oh, can it be, upon a tree
The Savior died for me?
My soul is thrilled,
My heart is filled,
To think He died for me!

Alas! I know not what I did,
But now my tears are vain:
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the Lord have slain.

Oh, can it be, upon a tree
The Savior died for me?
My soul is thrilled,
My heart is filled,
To think He died for me!

A second look He gave, which said,
"I freely all forgive:
This blood is for thy ransom paid,

I die that thou may'st live."

Oh, can it be, upon a tree
The Savior died for me?
My soul is thrilled,
My heart is filled,
To think He died for me!

~~~
Photograph taken from publicdomainpictures.net.

"Ifs"

If you are ever asked to show one chapter in the Bible that explains the whole gospel of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, turn to 1 Corinthians 15. Paul clearly explains, proves, and reasons the accuracy of our report of Jesus Christ.

One of my favorite parts in 1 Corinthians 15 is when Paul begins to thrust his “ifs.” The one subject that I see clearly is faith. You must believe that Christ died and that He rose from the dead, the resurrected King of all the earth. Christ is risen from the dead and we have hope in Him!!

“Ifs”

12         Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13         But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

14         And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15         Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16         For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

17         And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18         Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

19         If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20         But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

~~~
Photograph of cross from publicdomainpictures.net.