A Personal Connection with God
In 1775, John Wesley introduced a covenant service as an important part of spiritual life in the Methodist Societies. This renewal service was a time to gather annually for self-examination, reflection, and dedication, wholly giving up themselves and renewing covenant with God. Repentance through confession and commitment was a key focus of this service, requiring humility from those willing to submit themselves anew to the Lord.
Another key part of spiritual renewal was being reminded of the great price our Lord Jesus paid for our salvation on the cross. That Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, would take on human flesh and shed his blood because of our sin was (and is) both a divine mystery and the ultimate expression of divine love. Then, to consider that this great act of sacrificial love by our Lord makes possible a personal relationship with the almighty Creator God is beyond our ability to understand. But it is true, and John Wesley’s brother and partner in ministry, Charles Wesley, penned the hymn And Can It Be? as an expression of praise for this glorious truth.
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!
We who have rebelled against the rule of God in our lives are the objects of God the Father’s plan of salvation through His Son. Our sin is why Jesus died. As Wesley writes, we “caused his pain” and led to his sacrificial death.
‘Tis mystery all, the 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.
Wesley writes that what the Father planned, and the Son accomplished is a “strange design” that is beyond the comprehension of even the angels in heaven. An ad for a supermarket tabloid once declared that “inquiring minds want to know,” but Wesley says that God’s plan of salvation need not be inquired about, but simply adored. God is to be worshiped for what He has done. And how did he do it?
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.
Wesley borrows from the early church hymn found in Philippians 2:7-8 to express the unbelievable act of our Lord’s incarnation:
[He] made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (NKJV)
In our Lord coming to earth, He emptied Himself of his divine rights and identified with the humanity He had created. He not only took on human flesh, but He lived a life exemplified by love and sacrifice, by care and compassion, and by faithful obedience to the will of God the Father. And why? Because of us.
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!
Every human being is born with the inherited nature of Adam. We, as Wesley writes, are “imprisoned” by sin, “fast bound in sin and nature’s night.” We are born, and live, in spiritual darkness until the “quickening ray” of the Holy Spirit brings the light of the Gospel into our hearts and minds. And when we turn in repentance and faith to the Author of that “good news,” our “chains” fall off, we are free from bondage to sin and can now live the same obedient life that Jesus modeled for us; a life free from condemnation and a life lived in wonderful fellowship with our Lord.
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.
Wesley again borrows from the apostle Paul in celebrating the new relationship with God that is ours in Christ.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1 NKJV)
In Christ, we need not fear facing God. We are “clothed in righteousness divine.” Therefore, because we have turned to Christ in repentance and faith, we can “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT). No wonder Wesley’s title for this hymn is in the form of a question: And Can It Be? Is this possible? Like Mary amazement at the news the angel gave her of the conception of God in her womb, so we are rightly amazed – and overjoyed – at the new life and new relationship with God birthed in us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Enjoy this new setting of the hymn text by Dan Forrest.
https://youtu.be/gvWlOnXbe18?si=eBB4QHdh4n9U8OCT
Also enjoy this presentation of the hymn with the traditional tune.
https://youtu.be/mISbGETVr84?si=9M26Ugc4gvjGiURC
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If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
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