Our Sin Became His Sentence, But Still He Sacrificed Himself

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood
Died He for me who caused His pain
For me who Him to death pursued
Amazing love how can it be
That Thou my God shouldst die for me
Amazing love how can it be
That Thou my God shouldst die for me

And Can It Be, That I Should Gain? 1738
By: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Listen to this modern version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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Please 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 hymn which encourages us to be amazed at God’s love for us prepare to respond and give Him praise. Let’s tune our hearts.

How Can I Gain an Interest In His Blood…

Amazement. If this stanza, even this entire hymn had to be described by one word it could be amazement. Wesley is amazed as He considers the love of God displayed through the sacrifice of His Son. This amazement is compounded by the fact that His sacrifice was made for the very ones who needed it.

Amazement is a feeling. Feelings can be difficult to stir from an intellectual perspective, but that is largely what has transpired here. As he thought about the sacrifice for him, required by his sin, offered freely by Jesus he is nothing short of amazed.

When did you last ponder the wonder of this unmerited transaction? Have you ever been amazed by it? Why not spend some time today to allow the Holy Spirit to do that work in your heart?

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 ESV 

The writer is questioning how he could access the benefit available through the blood of Jesus Christ, knowing he was responsible for the shedding of it. We must ask the same question. How can it be that we acquire the benefit of His blood? Think about that. It is simply offered to us through faith, which is itself even a gift. Marvel at God’s kindness to you in giving you an interest in Him.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and ask God to amaze you with His love. Ask Him to touch Your heart and stir your feelings. Make this your simple prayer “Jesus, I marvel at Your kindness to me.” 

When He Shed It Because of Me?

Me. Well, not all by myself, but yes I was a contributor. How? Through sin.

Your hands were not holding the nails in place. Your arms were not swinging the hammer. Your were not in the crowd mocking Him. But you might as well have been. Your sins. My sins. All sin for all time are what nailed Him there.

And to think He still died for me. Me who caused His pain. Amazing! We will get to that on Thursday.

But for today, just ponder that for a moment. Jesus was dying for the ones who had caused, were causing and even had not yet caused His pain. It is remarkable to think that He was willing to die or the very ones who caused His pain. Me. And you. And all the world.

Died He for me who caused His pain
For me who Him to death pursued

For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8 ESV

What makes it so astonishing is that we get to enjoy what His pain accomplished even though we are each personally responsible for causing it. He knew that would be the case and still was willing to die for us. You may think you are not responsible, but your sin was His sentence.

You pursued Jesus to death and the cross. You would not try to spare Him even if you could once you realize His pain was our gain and the only path to it. If Jesus had not given up His life, there would be no forgiveness. Thank Jesus for dying for you

RESONATE
Take a few moments and consider your part in what earned your pardon. What did you do even today that required the cross? Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Jesus, thank You for dying for me.”  

Jesus, thank You for dying for me. Even though I was part of the reason You had to die, You still did it for me, and loved me as You did. Amaze me again today I pray. In Jesus’ name. 

Amazed 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 43.1 Transcript

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.

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood
Died He for me who caused His pain
For me who Him to death pursued
Amazing love how can it be
That Thou my God shouldst die for me

The writer is simply astonished that He gets to benefit from the Savior’s blood. Like him, we have done nothing to earn or access that advantage. It is simply offered to us through faith, which is itself even a gift. Marvel at God’s kindness to you in giving you an interest in Him.

Jesus, I marvel at Your kindness to me.

You pursued Jesus to death and the cross. You would not try to spare Him even if you could once you realize His pain was our gain and the only path to it. If Jesus had not given up His life, there would be no forgiveness. Thank Jesus for dying for you

Jesus, thank You for dying for me.

How can God love us when we are the very cause of the sacrifice and death of His Son? His only begotten Son? If it were not for sin, original and otherwise, there would be no need for sacrifice. Jesus willingly offered His life for us knowing we are culpable for it. Amazing love!

Jesus, thank You for Your amazing love.

Is there anyone you would die for? What if the only reason you had to die was because they had done something terrible, deserving punishment? What if they had done that terrible thing to you? That is effectively what Jesus did. Died for us because we were…us. Praise Him!

Lord, I praise You for Your love.

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.

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood
Died He for me who caused His pain
For me who Him to death pursued
Amazing love how can it be
That Thou my God shouldst die for me

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 Our Sin Became His Sentence, But Still He Sacrificed Himself appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
The Savior’s Blood – https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/the-precious-blood-of-christ/
I Caused His Pain – https://www.pammorrisonministries.com/blog/what-makes-the-blood-of-jesus-powerful/