When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” is considered one of the most excellent hymns ever written. This hymn was written in 1707 By Isaac Watts in preparation for a Communion Service. Watts Included Theology in his hymns. He believed that hymns should echo the theme of the Sermons. This Hymn was found to be based on God’s Word from Galatians 6:14. The word Survey is a weighty word that has great implications. The word Survey means to look over closely, to check out, examine, inspect, review, observe, delve into, explore, investigate, research, & study. And the very opposite, or the antonym for Survey is to miss, glance, or skim over. If we are not careful, we can take for granted, & become careless about the significance of The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We must truly be the people that surveys The Wondrous Cross. We must find ourselves sincerely & adamantly not wanting to miss, or skim over the priceless significance of The Cross of CHRIST. We see people everywhere who wear a cross, have crosses on their walls, clothing, and other items. It is one thing to have the Symbol of a Cross in our possession... But another…. to have been Redeemed by Our Saviors Blood, and to look closely into HIS life and what HE did for us, & then to steward this Sacred relationship wholeheartedly. Every day is an opportunity to explore our covenant relationship that has been purchased by LOVE. When we study HIM on a regular basis we find ourselves taking on the posture of humility. We become yielded to Holy Spirit the more, & boasting not in our own accomplishments & successes, but our boast being found only in The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Galatians 6:14. When we think about HIS Body & HIS Blood that was given for the remission of our sins... but yet still can not even imagine the torture of the Cross that JESUS bore…. It is humbling and there is absolutely nothing we can boast of except The LORD JESUS CHRIST. Yes indeed... Ponder these Poignant words of this old hymn…..

“When I survey the wondrous Cross, On which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it Lord that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my Lord. All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to HIS BLOOD.

See from HIS Head, HIS Hands, HIS Feet, Sorrow & Love flow mingled down. Did ever such love and sorrow meet, Or THORNS compose so rich a CROWN.

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small.

LOVE SO AMAZING, SO DIVINE, DEMANDS MY SOUL, MY LIFE, MY ALL.”

Oh that we be a people that survey… look closely, check out, examine, inspect, review, observe, delve into, explore, investigate, research & study JESUS through Scriptures, through prayer and inviting Holy Spirit’s Presence to reveal the unfathomable love of JESUS for we a people that are indeed wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked without HIM. OH, how we need JESUS. May it be said of us, we daily survey The Wondrous Cross, & our lives indeed depict & represent Gratitude to HIM. The Celebration of JESUS & HIS Brutal Prelude to death, the agonizing horrific sacrifice HE gave for us, HIS Burial, Resurrection and Ascension should not be limited to an annual celebratory service. When HE is indeed LORD of our lives, It is of utmost every day to Survey…. with an earnest desire to become conformed to HIS IMAGE.

Lord Jesus, help us not take it lightly the cost YOU suffered and gave, the pricelessness of in YOUR Palms, Our names engraved. Isaiah 49:16 is specifically YOUR HEARTBEAT our Redeemer, YOU are The Spotless Lamb of GOD, No other Intervener. Nothing or no one could hold YOUR HOLY LOVE from exploding, and YOUR DEITY, ALMIGHTY GOD, JESUS, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS from unfolding.

“May my only boast be found in the cross of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. IN HIM I have been crucified to this natural realm & the natural realm is dead to me and no longer dominates my life.” Galatians 6:14.