My thoughts:
I believe today’s song, “And Can it Be” fits in so nicely after last weeks song, “Holy, Holy, Holy“.
“AND CAN IT BE” or
“AMAZING LOVE! HOW CAN IT BE”
1. And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2. He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
3. Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
4. No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness Divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Here are a few take-aways that I found from today’s hymn:
-The sinner’s need for Christ
-The substitution of Christ dying on our behalf and paying the price that we deserved to pay
-The deity of Christ
-Jesus leaving His heavenly home with the Father to make atonement for sinners
-His grace and mercy being free
-He emptied Himself of all but love
-My spirit was imprisoned and bound in sin
-The Spirit woke me in this prison of sin
-The chains that kept me bound in sin fell off
-Now my heart was free from sin and now I could follow Jesus Christ
-I don’t dread condemnation, because in Christ I am secure
-I’m alive in Jesus; He’s my living Head
-I’m clothed in His righteousness
-I can now BOLDLY approach the throne of God
NOTES behind the song:
“And Can It Be” is a famous Christian hymn written by Charles Wesley shortly after his conversion on May 21, 1738, to express the joy and wonder of God’s saving grace for him personally. The hymn, which first appeared in the 1739 hymnal Hymns and Sacred Poems, reflects themes of justification by faith, union with Christ, and liberation from sin. The tune for the hymn, known as SAGINA, was composed by Thomas Campbell and became the standard accompaniment in the 20th century.
Author and Context:
Charles Wesley: A prolific English hymn writer and Anglican priest who was a key figure in the early Methodist movement alongside his brother, John.
Conversion Experience: Wesley wrote the hymn in the days following his spiritual conversion, a profound experience of receiving assurance of salvation and God’s grace, which he described in his journal.
Themes of the Hymn:
Awe at Grace: The central theme is the astonishment at the immense love of God, especially Christ dying for a sinner like Wesley.
Personal Salvation: The hymn emphasizes that salvation is a personal gift, freely given, rather than earned by merit.
Liberation from Sin: It speaks of the freedom that comes through faith, as reflected in the line, “My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee”.
Spiritual Themes: The lyrics draw from biblical passages such as Ephesians 2:8 and Romans 8:1, exploring concepts like grace, faith, and the absence of condemnation for believers.
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