In Christ Alone

I was listening to Avalon’s album “Faith: A Hymns Collection” today, and the song “In Christ Alone” really got thinking about the lyrics.

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when striving ceased

My comforter, my all in all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

(This part really played out in my mind.)

In Christ alone who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless Babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

Think about those words. What really got me was the line “scorned by the ones He came to save.” I just imagine how His heart must have stung, thinking of all He came to do for them, only to have them despise Him. I imagine a scene where He is walking away from a crowd He just spoken to and healed a lame man, hearing people snicker and mock Him. I feel the sinking of His heart in the feeling of rejection. Christ felt that. We feel that. Where we walk away from a crowd feeling unwanted and, even if we are offering so much to them, we feel outcast. That is one of the beautiful things about Jesus. He lived 33 years on earth. He lost loved ones, was rejected by many, faced temptation, lived in poverty. He was judged by men, looked down on by powerful men. He was innocent and put to death. All for us. All to save us from an eternity in hell, so we could spend it in Heaven with Him. All because He loves us. Because, no matter what we do or have done, He laid down His life so we wouldn’t have to pay for our sins. All we have to do is acknowledge Him as Lord, ask for forgiveness for our sins, and ask Him into our hearts and lives.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I stand

Avalon - In Christ Alone