A Sacrifice of Extravagant Love

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PREVIOUS What Did Jesus Say About the End Times? Part 2 NEXT The King Prepares for His Passion

Took what he could get for Jesus

Blessed her Lord

Betrayed his Lord

Loved her Lord

Used his Lord

Did a beautiful thing

Did a terrible thing

Served Him as her Savior

Sold Him like He was his slave

Notable forever for her devotion

Notorious forever for his betrayal

324Oh, how I want to be like Mary. But oh, how often Judas so readily appears in the mirror. Only the gospel of my Savior can heal my sin-sick soul.

If Mary, the unnamed woman of Mark 14, were alive today, and we were to interview her and ask her, “What is your favorite Christian hymn?” I strongly suspect she would say, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” It was written in 1707 by Isaac Watts. Charles Wesley reportedly said he would give up all his other hymns to have written this one. We know he wrote at least six thousand! I agree: it is that good! Stanzas 1 and 4 are especially meaningful to me.

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ, my God;

All the vain things that charm me most—

I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

PREVIOUS What Did Jesus Say About the End Times? Part 2 NEXT The King Prepares for His Passion