Text: Charles Wesley (1707-1788 ) Music: Thomas Campbell
And can it be that I should gain an interest 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?
‘Tis mystery all: th’ Immortal dies! Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries to sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no more.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no more.
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!
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.
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 th’ eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Scripture reference: Luke 24, Acts 9, and Acts 12
Do you remember the day you gave or committed yourself 100% to Jesus? It was the moment when you went from Believer to Disciple. You decided no matter what happened – whatever happened, would happen with Jesus.
Luke 24 tells of Believers who walk along the road to Emmaus, as maybe they have done many times in their lives, but they do not know it is Jesus who is with them. The Holy Spirit opens their eyes as they broke bread and celebrated the reconciliation that Jesus bought.
Acts 9 is the famous, heavy special effects “Damascus Road Experience†in which hard-headed Paul meets Jesus in a blinding vision.
It has been interesting to me to hear many people categorize themselves as having either “Emmaus Road†or “Damascus Road†experience. Emmaus Believers may describe themselves as “always knew Jesus†and may even deny knowing a time or date their relationship changed. Damascus Road Believers can usually point to a day and incident when their life took a 90° turn and they committed their lives to Jesus. Does Jesus care on what road we meet with Him? Does He think one road makes a more mature Believer than the other? Are those questions for me to answer? No.
Acts 12 is where my mind connects with this wonderful song, And Can It Be. I know that chains bound me to a dark, smelly hole until Jesus set me free. I have now learned to sing even when I feel the chains on because they are falling off as the power of God in His presence comes near to me. Jesus broke the chains of my sin when He chose to take my sins and die. To consider the distance that Jesus came to be here and bring the love and mercy of the Father into my life so that we may live together forever – hard to grasp, isn’t it?
