Verse of the Week...Cross-travaganza

‘The Wonder of the Cross’
by Vicky Beeching?


O precious sight, my Savior stands,

Dying for me with outstretched hands.

O precious sight, I love to gaze,

Remembering salvation’s day,

Remembering salvation’s day.

Though my eyes linger on this scene,

May passing time and years not steal

The power with which it impacts me,

The freshness of its mystery,

The freshness of its mystery.


Chorus

May I never lose the wonder,

The wonder of the cross.

May I see it like the first time

Standing as a sinner lost,

Undone by mercy and left speechless,

Watching wide-eyed at the cost.

May I never lose the wonder,

The wonder of the cross.


If you recall, during Christmastime last year I wrote about seeking to revive the sense of awe with which we viewed the birth of Jesus as children, and experiencing their innocent delight, that which erupts freely from a joyful, unfettered heart. How easily the passing of time and the repetition of days, months and seasons can alter our approach to the most significant of holy days—and not for the better.

Well, Good Friday and Easter, once again, are here. Another holiday season filled with its own traditions and rituals and secular flair. And I would argue that, like at Christmas, we’re in need of refreshment (no, I’m not referring to the generic cookies and watered-down punch found in your church fellowship hall or basement!). Quite simply, our sense of wonder needs awaking. Because left alone, our eyes too easily linger on the scene without evoking an authentic response within.

Notice the stark contrast between an indifferent, milquetoast approach and that which is described by the chorus: ‘Undone by mercy and left speechless, watching wide-eyed at the cost.’ The sinless Savior died to forever remove our sin and impart to us His righteousness, satisfying once and for all the wrath of the one true, and just, God. If we’re understanding that with any breadth, if we’re feeling even a hint of that love in our hearts, how could we not be undone by His unmatched mercy? A better question: given the weight of what’s behind the cross, how could we keep our composure?

I don’t know who wrote the lyrics to this magnificent song, but frankly it doesn’t matter. Whoever did, wrote it as a prayer, even better, as a plea. ‘May I never lose the wonder, the wonder of the cross.’ The writer passionately petitions God to make it so. And we would do well to do the same.

Without wonder, there’s no worship. And at least for me, it’s no wonder it’s so difficult at times to truly worship, given my lack of wonder within. If you would, then, join me this weekend in pleading for God to give feeling to our all-too-insensitive hearts and focus our minds on the weight of the wooden cross, that we may ‘see it like the first time, standing as a sinner lost…’ And that the Father of Jesus Christ would receive our heartfelt praise, to the glory of His Name.


A wonder-full Good Friday and Easter to you,

Voice of another