It's Good Friday today and during service, there was a beautiful hymn sung. It's called "Beneath the Cross of Jesus", written by Elizabeth C. Clephane and the music was composed by Frederick C. Maker. This is how it goes:
Several thoughts on this hymn... I like how there's a progression of ideas and I find the flow ingenious. Stanza 1 presents the cross of Christ as how many would view it. The imagery is immensely down-to-earth - who doesn't realise the need for solace from the "burden of the day"? Then as if to avoid any superficial (mis)understanding of the Cross or to prevent the stanza from becoming mere sentimentalism, Stanza 2 strikes right to the heart of the Cross - It is about Christ dying to save the sinner. A response is written there and those who sing it should be moved to confess the last line of the stanza. Again, as if to avoid mere emotional response without a heart (and action) for repentance, Stanza 3 steps in with some serious "applications". There isn't much I can say about the last Stanza except that I tremble when I sing it.
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.
Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess;
The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
Several thoughts on this hymn... I like how there's a progression of ideas and I find the flow ingenious. Stanza 1 presents the cross of Christ as how many would view it. The imagery is immensely down-to-earth - who doesn't realise the need for solace from the "burden of the day"? Then as if to avoid any superficial (mis)understanding of the Cross or to prevent the stanza from becoming mere sentimentalism, Stanza 2 strikes right to the heart of the Cross - It is about Christ dying to save the sinner. A response is written there and those who sing it should be moved to confess the last line of the stanza. Again, as if to avoid mere emotional response without a heart (and action) for repentance, Stanza 3 steps in with some serious "applications". There isn't much I can say about the last Stanza except that I tremble when I sing it.
It's Good Friday today and I remember "my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross".
Thank God for Good Friday.
