Do you know who He was? He who hung on a cross?
He was good, He was wise – so why bore He such loss?
So that you, so that I could have friendship with God:
our faults were a barrier – He was bearing our load.

Read in Matthew and Mark all His words – they’ll amaze;
in Luke’s gospel and John’s, of His ways in those days.
Start reading yourself – for it isn’t too late:
you’ll never regret it, but don’t carelessly wait.

Tune: 11 11 11 11 eg Montgomery by Samuel Jarvis, tune of ‘How firm a foundation …’ by ‘K’ in Rippon’s Selection

So many believe anything that is odd,
but deceived, won’t believe in an almighty God,
and think it absurd there could be resurrection
(so fearful of falling for foolish deception),
but really they’ve fallen for thoughtless rejection
of certified offer worth investigation.

Our need’s for a substitute taking our sin –
no other but God could our pardon, life win;
and when He had done so as man, He must rise
with glorified body; – when anyone dies
they will live again to see Him on His throne
and hear His opinion of all we have done.

But written in His Book
are the names of all who look
to the Son for grace, redemption,
accomplished-on-the-cross salvation.
Tune: 11 11 11 11 +

Praise to the gentle King,
on a donkey riding in;
Many hoping He would bring
end of Roman rule.

But His work was more important–
such a need of hearts repentant,
washed from sin, and true commitment
to the Lord, their God.

And the only way for pardon
was that He take on guilt’s burden,
pay the price by crucifixion,
wiping out their sin.

Mighty Lord deserves all praise
– will return to wondrous gaze.
Seek Him in these gospel days
– gentle, mighty King.

He knew He’d be killed.
[With jealousy filled,
some hated, despite
His giving men sight.]

The crowd seemed so thrilled
at a gentle King, filled
with wisdom and goodness
and powerful kindness.

He’d come to be killed –
salvation fulfilled
– this man, God, the Son
our pardon thus won.

In heaven they praise Him.
His glory they sing,
who died as a lamb once,
now rules from the throne.

Tune: Hanover by William Croft’(tune of ‘O Worship the King’ 10 10 11 11)’
“See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey’” Matthew 21:1-11 a

He was no ghost – he ate the fish,
but now could pass closed door.
Why do so many this dismiss,
clear evidence ignore?

And yet seem willing to believe
in tales of things bizarre,
that have no benefit to give,
and very dubious are.

The evidence that Christ arose
is clear – with joy believe,
for he is living now and shows
the debt is paid – receive!

Many expected revolution
– the rule of the Romans thrown,
but Jesus was bringing salvation,
their religious hypocrisy shown.

And so they demand crucifixion
– but thus was our Substitute killed
– God’s plan had not failed in confusion
– Christ laid down his life as God willed.

We never could come to God’s holiness
unless we are washed clean from sni;
our punishment earned He there bore for us
– through suffering, our Life He would win.

The King, a kind and gentle King,
rides in upon an ass
– a borrowed ass – he nothing owned:
The prophecy had come to pass.

Though usually he walked, not now,
and hear the crowd acclaim him,
acknowledging his goodness, praise
– he who soon would be reigning.

But foolish leaders closed their eyes
to that which showed that he
was true Messiah sent from heaven,
wise, kind, Saviour to be.

And so they wanted to be rid
of him, for their hypocrisy,
and pride, was shown exposed by his
true goodness, quiet authority.

Tune: basically CM, with some hanging syllables

When Christ was taken from the cross
his body was not dumped or lost,
nor in communal graveyard tossed,
among the many there amassed.

As prophesied, a rich man’s tomb
was where his body, dead, was borne,
but on the third day’s early morn
the stone-door from its seals was torn.

An angel came (the soldiers quake
they see him roll it, feel earth shake):
an open grave to show Christ gone.
death could not hold the mighty Son.
Tune: LM