JESUS PAID IT ALL

Next Sunday many of us may participate in Communion in our church.  This is a beautiful celebration when we remember the death of Christ for us - his broken body and the blood that was shed for our forgiveness and redemption.  Hopefully this is a very meaningful time for you as you thank Him for that matchless gift.  And during the celebration you just might sing or hear this week's beautiful hymn which reminds us that Jesus Paid It All!  There is nothing that we can do to earn this gift or pay for it.  Our debt is paid - in full!  Praise the Lord!  The words to the song were written by Elvina Hall (1822-1889) in 1865. Elvina was a member of the Monument Street Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. The Choir Director of the same church was John Thomas Grape (1835-1915). Unaware of Elvina's composition, Grape composed a tune he called All To Christ I Owe.  The pastor of Monument Street Methodist Church, Rev.George W. Schreck heard the music written by Grape and immediately thought of the verse written by another of his parishioners, Elvina Hall. At the pastor's suggestion, Hall's lyrics and Grape's music were combined, and then sent to Professor Theodore Perkins, publisher of the periodical Sabbath Carols. The hymn quickly became a favorite and has been published in and sung from hymnals across America ever since.  The hymn vividly reminds us that we, children of weakness, have nothing good to bring to Him.  We are complete in Him - His power and His alone can cleanse us.  And like many of the old hymns, this one concludes by reminding us of that day when we will stand before His throne - complete - and we will lay our trophies down at His feet.  May we never forget the price that He paid for us to make this future day possible!

1. I hear the Savior say,

"Thy strength indeed is small;

Child of weakness, watch and pray,

Find in Me thine all in all."

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

2. For nothing good have I

Whereby Thy grace to claim;

I'll wash my garments white

In the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

3. And now complete in Him,

My robe, His righteousness,

Close sheltered 'neath His side,

I am divinely blest.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

4. Lord, now indeed I find

Thy power, and Thine alone,

Can change the leper's spots

And melt the heart of stone.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

5. When from my dying bed

My ransomed soul shall rise,

"Jesus died my soul to save,"

Shall rend the vaulted skies.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

6. And when before the throne

I stand in Him complete,

I'll lay my trophies down,

All down at Jesus' feet.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

This week I'll give you three choices to listen to.

(1)  Gaither Homecoming    LISTEN 1

(2)  An acapella rendition    LISTEN 2

(3)  A piano medley            LISTEN 3