Alas and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sov’reign die
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I
Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885
Listen to this modern version of this penitent hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.
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Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we begin our journey through this ancient text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.
Yes He Did
This hymn begins with some questions. “Did He”…? And again, “Did He”…? Followed by, “Would He”…?
I think the questioning nature is a good way to express the grief of the opening word, “Alas”. Not in common usage today, the emotion of if may be lost a little on us, but not for Watts contemporaries. It invited them from that opening word to enter into the wonder of God bleeding and dying for our sins.
The words may be a little archaic at times, but the ageless truth of Christ’s sacrifice shines through clearly. It does so all the while evoking a wonder from the worshipper. We take these next weeks of Lent, as the days of spring lengthen as we journey to Easter, to consider our response to Jesus’ redemptive work. beginning here with His blood.
Alas and did my Savior bleed
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 ESV
As we journey through this hymn during the season of Lent we will answer a lot of questions. Yes, the Savior bled for us. And His blood purchased our redemption, our forgiveness. As we begin our journey, thank Him for the riches of His grace poured on your life.
The exclamation of grief in the word “Alas” should characterize at least some of that journey. What is your visceral reaction, your gut response, when you ponder the Savior shedding His blood for you? Yes, the Savior bleed for us, for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
RESONATE!
So how are you responding to the Savior shedding His blood for you? Begin to think on this and remember that response is more than singing the words of a song. To genuinely sing those words we must consider how our lives are reflecting that desire to respond to His love. Start with words of gratitude, then allow your life to math them. “Jesus, thank You for shedding Your blood.”
And Again, Yes
To think of our Savior bleeding for us evokes wonder and amazement, but to acknowledge that He, the Sovereign over all, died for us is almost more than we can comprehend. We look at the cross and see our Lord hanging there and are left bewildered, trying to take in the almost inconceivable nature of this transaction. The Ruler offering His life for those He rules.
Does that truth resonate with you? Does it cause your soul to reverberate with the life-altering awe it evokes? Take a moment right now as you read these words to let that truth echo deeply your being.
And did my Sov’reign die
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 ESV
Can you imagine what those moments must have been like for those first disciples? We have the benefit of history, but their hearts must have been breaking. Try to empathize with the pain they had to have felt. It will only intensify the joy of our resurrection celebrations.
Jesus had to die. Our sin had to be atoned for, and His blood, the sacrifice of His life, was the only way to satisfy the just demands of our holy God. The Father gave the life of Jesus His Son to express His love for us and make a way for us to live eternally. Thanks be to God!
RESONATE!
So how will you respond right now to His sacrifice. Surely, you can start with words of gratitude, but how will you express that gratitude with your life? Give Him thanks. “Father, thank You for giving Your Son.” Then ask Him to show you how to live that out today. Be ready to respond when He does.
Jesus, thank You for shedding your blood and dying for me. I want to live my life responding to your sacrifice. Through this season of Lent, show me how to lengthen my periods gratitude until in becomes my way of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Awestruck Tuning!
Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.
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Video 49.1 Transcript (26.1 Reframed)
Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.
Alas and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sov’reign die
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I
As we begin to make our long approach to Easter through Lent, let us begin asking these questions. The exclamation of grief in the word “Alas” should characterize at least some of that journey. Yes, the Savior bleed for us, for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Jesus, thank You for shedding Your blood.
Jesus had to die. Our sin had to be atoned for, and His blood, the sacrifice of His life, was the only way to satisfy the just demands of our holy God. The Father gave the life of Jesus His Son to express His love for us and make a way for us to live eternally. Thanks be to God!
Father, thank You for giving Your Son.
Yes, God was so committed to our redemption that He was absolutely willing to devote, to commit a large portion of His resources, namely the sacred head of His beloved Son, to that purpose. He loved the world that much. May we be overwhelmed by it in this penitent season.
Lord, overwhelm me with Your sacrifice.
And that extravagant offering was devoted and offered while we were so undeserving. We were sinners, lost and hurling down a path toward eternal damnation and separation from a loving God. Then He intervened. Ask the Spirit to enliven the praise of your ransomed soul.
Spirit, enliven the praise of my ransomed soul.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.
Sing
Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Answering the Questions with My Life appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Alas And Did My Savior Bleed – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-blood-processions-easter-501757/
And Did My Sovereign Die – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-jesus-christ-crucifixion-5703825/
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