Good Friday: I SAW ONE HANGING ON A TREE

Scripture:   Isaiah 52:13—53:12 

Focus on the Word -   This is one of my favorite hymns, written by John Newton, who also gave us, the hymn “Amazing Grace."

In evil long I took delight, 

Unawed by shame or fear, 

Till a new object struck my sight, 

And stopp'd my wild career: 

I saw One hanging on a Tree 

In agonies and blood, 

Who fix'd His languid eyes on me 

As near His Cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath, 

Can I forget that look: 

It seem'd to charge me with His death, 

Though not a word He spoke:

My conscience felt and own'd the guilt, 

And plunged me in despair:

I saw my sins His Blood had spilt, 

And help'd to nail Him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did! 

But now my tears are vain:

Where shall my trembling soul be hid? 

For I the Lord have slain!

A second look He gave, which said, 

"I freely all forgive;

This blood is for thy ransom paid; 

I die that thou may'st live."

Thus, while His death my sin displays 

In all its blackest hue,

Such is the mystery of grace, 

It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief, and mournful joy, 

My spirit now is fill'd,

That I should such a life destroy, 

Yet live by Him I kill’d!

Today’s Prayer

King of my life, I crown Thee now

Thine shall the glory be

Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow

Lead me to Calvary

Lest I forget Gethsemane

Lest I forget Thine agony

Lest I forget Thy love for me

Lead me to Calvary

Jennie Evelyn Hussey, 1921