Over the last few years, the incredible truth of John 13:1 has increasingly been gripping and overwhelming me: “…Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” The holy, persevering love of Jesus Christ for His own, which, wonder-of-wonders includes me, is the most important, amazing, relevant reality in the universe.
Reflecting upon this glorious truth, English pastor William Gadsby (1773-1844) wrote the following hymn, entitled “The Love of Christ.” An excellent version of this hymn is sung by Sandra McCracken. Be encouraged and strengthened in the love of God in Christ, beloved!
1. The love of Christ is rich and free;
Fixed on His own eternally;
Nor earth, nor hell, can it remove;
Long as He lives, His own He’ll love.
2. His loving heart engaged to be
Their everlasting Surety;
’Twas love that took their cause in hand,
And love maintains it to the end.
Chorus: Love cannot from its post withdraw;
Nor death, nor hell, nor sin, nor law,
Can turn the Surety’s heart away;
He’ll love His own to endless day.
3. Love has redeemed His sheep with blood;
And love will bring them safe to God;
Love calls them all from death to life;
And love will finish all their strife.
4. He loves through every changing scene,
Nor aught from Him can Zion wean;
Not all the wanderings of her heart
Can make His love for her depart.
5. At death, beyond the grave, He’ll love;
In endless bliss, His own shall prove
The blazing glory of that love
Which never could from them remove.
Pastor Greg
