Hymns With A Message: AT CALVARY (TH)

Sunday, April 4, 2021

AT CALVARY (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS - A special feature where every few weeks I choose a hymn that I have written about before, revise and update it, and share it once again because I think it has a powerful message that we need. This one was shared previously on April 10, 2011.

As we celebrate the Easter season, there are many hymns that speak of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross at Calvary. One of my favorites is the hymn that I've chosen for this week. It was a favorite in our church when I was growing up and it was always one that seniors loved to sing at the many hymn sings that I used to lead. It reminds us of how the crucifixion of Christ can change our lives so dramatically. And this is what stirred the author to pen these words many years ago.

The story behind the hymn began when Dr. R.A. Torrey was president of Moody Bible Institute. Here is the story as told by Dr. Torrey. "When I was president of the Moody Bible Institute, I received a letter from a very concerned pastor who told me of a son who was causing himself and his family a great deal of trouble. His life was really mixed up. And the father felt that attendance at Moody would help. I advised the father that even though I sympathized with him, for I was a father; yet, because I was running a Bible school and not a reform school, I had to deny his request. After many letters of pleading his cause, I finally gave in with the stipulation that the rebellious teen must see me each day and make every effort to abide by the rules and requirements of the Institute."

Torrey went on to say that the boy faithfully visited his office each day; and with wisdom from God's word, he answered the questions that had been keeping the boy from God. Finally, after many months of counseling, the prayers of the boy's father were answered when young William R. Newell received Christ as his personal Savior.

Thirty years later, as a teacher at Moody, Mr. Newell was recounting those turbulent years as a rebellious teen; and as he was rejoicing in his salvation, the words of a poem flooded his mind. His mind was filled with a word picture of what had happened in his life and also in the lives of all those who surrender to Christ. The new man in Christ could now write these words that have spoken to many for over a century.

Meditate on these words as you celebrate the Easter season.

(1) Years I spent in vanity and pride,

Caring not my Lord was crucified,

Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.

(2) By God's Word at last my sin I learned;

Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,

Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;