Category: The Saviour Christ

The beginning and end of tears

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This world, when all was brought to be –
the beauty, wonder we still see
was not yet marred in any way,
with no frustration, till fall’s day.
He who had mutinied, and lost
his place among the heavenly host,
became God’s enemy, until
an end to all his plans of ill.

So when God made the universe,
this Satan schemed, earned judgement’s curse;
he tempted Eve to doubt, rebel,
and so to sin and hurt she fell.
Could not for ever live like this,
their world and they were now amiss,
though still supported, all would groan
until salvation wrought, made known.

Christ came to pay the debt,  he will,
soon come again, and all fulfil,
and meanwhile hear now, heed his call
and friendship, like before the fall,
you can enjoy with God, and when
he comes, returns, a world that then
will have no damage, and no fears,
with happy work, no death, no tears.

Tune: LM or DLM ‘Ye banks and braes’

Two Kings, Two Feasts

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The Despot Herod held a feast,
and showed himself a tyrant beast,
gave to the dancer her vile wish
of righteous John’s head on a dish.

But, Jesus saddened, found a place
of quiet, but crowds still sought his face,
he had compassion on their need,
and gave them truth and bread to feed.

What contrast seen in these two kings,
the one abused the power fear brings,
the other as a Shepherd cared,
and healed and fed, salvation shared.

And he is still a Shepherd-King
who welcomes all to come to him.
He knows you through and through, he’ll lead,
and satisfy soul-hunger, feed.

Mark 6: 14-44 and Matthew 14:12-14

(Tune: LM can be sung to ‘Ye banks and braes’ Scottish Traditional melody, two verses to the tune)

The Allegory of Aslan’s Sacrifice

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As Aslan died instead
of Edmund, who’d betrayed,
so only Jesus could redeem
each one who’d disobeyed.

Only the King himself,
the perfect one alone,
who had no wrong thing ever done,
could take my place, atone.

The temple showed how God
is separate from sin,
and all that is not pure and good:
we could not come to him.

The curtain barred the way,
to the most holy place,
but when Christ died, it broke in two –
he reconciled by grace.

His body broken meant
the barrier’s broken down,
so through his bearing punishment
we can approach God’s throne.

What awesome thing is this?
to now be welcomed in
to friendship with the Holy One,
the Sovereign God, our King!

tune: DSM

Certain Hope Reliable

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Unfounded hope,
a rotted rope,
to hold in stormy sea,
a cobweb frail
to no avail –
a hope as weak as me.

Oh, why deny
a God on high,
the God his Son disclosed?
a God who’ll teach,
and all can reach,
before whom all’s exposed.

His power clothed earth,
and conquered death –
only the meek reach out
who know their need
to trust and plead:
of hope secure they shout!

Tune: CM eg ‘Amazing Grace’

“We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard”*

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Imprisoned by mere men,
God brought them out of jail
to tell the way of life to all
in public, without fail.

They’re bidden back for trial,
and nearly sent to death,
but flogged and once more told to stop
telling the gospel’s worth.

Joy, sharing Jesus’ shame,
but can’t keep silent, must
continue teaching news so good,
that Jesus is the Christ.

Tune: SM (6686)

on Acts 5:17-42 ‘… an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts, “ he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.” …’ verses19,20 [*Acts 4:20]

on Romans 5:8

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Jesus died upon a cross.
Why? What for? for who? for us
we had nothing to commend,
no desire to be God’s friend;
sinners unendearing, no
power to change, to better do –
but his love, great grace procured
through this death that he endured.

He who sent his Son for this,
cleanses, draws, receive his kiss –
he’s then able to preserve,
hold us when we slip or swerve,
mould, prepare us for his heaven –
grace continues when once given.
Is our love like his for us
– reaching out to others thus?

(Tune: 77 77D)

The Ugly and the Beautiful

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on Mark 14:1-11
They were filled with venom,
bitter, scheming, sly,
did not like his wisdom,
wanted him to die.

Judas, thief and traitor,
chose to leave, betray,
spurned his Master, Saviour,
turned against his Way.

Beautiful the contrast:
perfume, love, outpoured,
now the scent encompassed,
honouring her Lord.

Rash their rushing judgement:
this was not a waste –
imminent assignment
so immense he faced:

Treatment harsh and vicious
leading to the grave,
though he’d be victorious,
hard his route to save.

Tune: 65 65

Shown to be …

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Not ‘just another man
deceiving for a span’,
for, just as he before foretold,
death did not keep its hold.

They’d seen his goodness pure,
and miracles galore;
though many had rejected him,
God proves Christ is his King.

Sin’s payment’s work complete,
there will be no repeat;
receive the righteousness he gives,
our Lord-Protector lives,

He sits at God’s right hand,
he promised he would send
his holy Spirit if you pray,
to help you walk his Way.
Tune: SM

John 9

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The blind man could see: what amazed him the most –
the colours, the animals, plants, sky and host
of faces unknown (he had always been blind),
– or, who this man was, with such skill and so kind?

The leaders were angry and chose not to see,
they threatened, ridiculed, disowned him, but he
from heeding, obeying, increasingly saw
the truth about One who blind eyes could restore.

Thrown out of their midst, truth discarded for lies;
sought out by the Saviour who’d opened his eyes,
perceived Jesus now as Messiah and Lord;
the Pharisees’ pride made them shut out God’s Word.

Important to listen, consider and pray,
give thought to his words when he shows you his Way;
the threats and opinions of men do not fear:
more precious a Saviour who always stays near.

Tune: 11 11 11 11 St Luke

Who alone has perfect goodness?

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Mark 10: 21–23
Who alone has perfect goodness?
Which commandments have I kept?
All the ten quite fully, always?
Is there anything that’s crept
in my heart to take affection,
and my trust for life’s protection?

Jesus knows and speaks to save us.
He will not speak words of ease
that would leave us as he found us,
– he speaks truth that may not please.
If we would have life eternal,
let Christ view our thoughts internal.

High the cost, but grace is greater:
nothing wasted, heaven won.
All we own is now the Saviour’s
– if we’ve riches, if we’ve none –
he alone can wisely guide us,
and with all we need, provide us.

Though at first we may not like it,
yet we may find grace to turn,
and accept the Word that touched us
‘on the raw’, and made us squirm,
fight, rebel, or slink away,
loving self too much to pray.

If we would escape from danger,
we must pick the idols from there.