Resurrection Day! As we end this very special week for all Christians we are reminded that there are many hymns that speak of the death of Christ, His shed blood for us, and the Cross where he hung and died to pay the penalty for our sins. Many of these great hymns have been shared in this blog over the years. This week's choice shares this theme as it highlights our praise and gratitude for what was done for us by Christ at Calvary - "Hallelujah, For The Cross". The exclamation "Hallelujah!" ia repeated thirty times in this hymn, counting the refrains, emphasizing this spirit of praise and thanksgiving. Because of the grace of God that brought us salvation we should want to daily exclaim hallelujah or praise the Lord. The hymn reminds us that skeptics and opponents have tried for centuries to destroy the message of the Cross, but the Gospel message has stood against all blasts, the hate of the world, and even the winds of Hell. "It is the old Cross still," where, by the grace of God, "Christ, the blessed Son", atoned for our sins. We should proclaim and share that message and the work of the Cross to all. Christ is our living king! Dr. Horatius Bonar (1808-1889) was an evangelical pastor in Scotland, and a great hymn writer. He has been called "the prince of Scottish hymn writers." He is said to have written over 600 hymns, including the somewhat familiar "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say". No history of the writing of this hymn could be found but the words were penned by Bonar in 1875. The music was added by James McGranahan in 1882. Now let me add a word of warning. To many today the Cross has become just a symbol of religion. It is often worn as a piece of jewelry. But for some its meaning has become a matter of life and death. Recently ISIS said they were “chopping off the heads of those that have been carrying around the cross illusion in their heads.” Someone recently said, “If that Cross is something that literally rescues you and lets you really live, then it’s something worth dying for. People are dying for the faith which we often take for granted, that we take and hide under a bushel, that we take and paint vanilla - so we don’t get persecuted. Are we people who humbly take up the Cross and take our faith seriously - or people who seriously take and hide our faith under a humble bushel? ” This is a powerful question that we all need to consider. So during this week may we continue to consider what the Cross really means to us. As People of the Cross let us pray that our faith in our Savior and His death on the Cross is worth laying down our life for our Savior. May this hymn also remind you of the power of what happened on the Cross of Calvary. May your heart be filled with wonder, thanksgiving, renewed commitment and cries of "Hallelujah". And may your voice share this vital, life changing message to all. Thank you Jesus for the Cross and for that first glorious Resurrection Day!
(1) The cross, it standeth fast—
The winds of hell have blown,
The world its hate hath shown,
Yet it is not overthrown—
Hallelujah for the cross!
Hallelujah for the cross;
It shall never suffer loss!
(2) It is the old cross still—
The grace of God here shone
Thru Christ, the blessed Son,
Hallelujah for the cross!
Hallelujah for the cross;
It shall never suffer loss!
(2) 'Twas here the debt was paid—
So round the cross we sing
Of Christ, our living king—
Hallelujah for the cross!
Hallelujah for the cross;
It shall never suffer loss!
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