ROOTS: The Hymns of Charles
Wesley
Wesley
09/11/2016 Christ Mountain Top
Hebrews 10.12-22 (Message)
Isaiah 6.1-8 (Kids)
Psalm 65, p 789-790, with sung
response
response
ROOTS: The Hymns of Charles
Wesley
Wesley
one
of the great writers (lyricist) of sacred songs in history
of the great writers (lyricist) of sacred songs in history
not
because of great poetry, but
because of great poetry, but
sheer
volume of output
volume of output
powerful
use of biblical themes
use of biblical themes
Purpose
of ROOTS series, and this in particular
of ROOTS series, and this in particular
staying connected to our tradition
Jaroslav Pelikan: Traditionalism
is the dead faith of the living; tradition is the living faith of the dead.
is the dead faith of the living; tradition is the living faith of the dead.
growing
as worshipers
as worshipers
First published in the 1742 as
“Behold the Man”
“Behold the Man”
Focus
on the cross of Christ, particularly the blood of Jesus
on the cross of Christ, particularly the blood of Jesus
With
the original title, Pilate’s presentation of Jesus, John 19.5
the original title, Pilate’s presentation of Jesus, John 19.5
First encountered in an 1883
Baptist Hymnal
Baptist Hymnal
My Scripture associations with
this hymn:
this hymn:
Isaiah
6.1-8
6.1-8
In
the temple for worship
the temple for worship
Vision
of the LORD’s glory
of the LORD’s glory
John
12.41 – Isaiah has a vision of JESUS!
12.41 – Isaiah has a vision of JESUS!
Undone:
“I’m melting”
“I’m melting”
Unclean
– pardon from the altar
– pardon from the altar
Hebrews
10.12-22
10.12-22
How
can we approach God, enter the sanctuary?
can we approach God, enter the sanctuary?
Worship
– eligible? Safe?
– eligible? Safe?
“with
confidence I now draw nigh”
confidence I now draw nigh”
Because
of the altar/cross, the veil/his flesh
of the altar/cross, the veil/his flesh
Both passages deal with the same
problem: How can we, imperfect as we are, approach the perfect God and both
live and be heard and known and loved? That is, are we truly forgiven? Because
we all know what it is like to want to be forgiven, but to have that gift
withheld.
problem: How can we, imperfect as we are, approach the perfect God and both
live and be heard and known and loved? That is, are we truly forgiven? Because
we all know what it is like to want to be forgiven, but to have that gift
withheld.
“Spitting” on my friend (blowing
raspberries)
raspberries)
I’m
sorry! Can’t say it enough
sorry! Can’t say it enough
Isaiah:
Oy! Woe is me!
Oy! Woe is me!
Lady
MacBeth: “Out, out damn spot!”
MacBeth: “Out, out damn spot!”
Next time we meet: can I look her
in the eye without fear?
in the eye without fear?
Two metaphors in the Bible:
Thrones of ancient rulers:
Pilate
sits on his “throne”, a “judgment seat”
sits on his “throne”, a “judgment seat”
Our
God’s throne is, instead, a “mercy seat”
God’s throne is, instead, a “mercy seat”
Blood
that speaks:
that speaks:
To
Cain: Your brother’s blood cries out to me …
Cain: Your brother’s blood cries out to me …
Lady
MacBeth: Blood was speaking!
MacBeth: Blood was speaking!
Hebrews
12.24,
12.24,
“the sprinkled blood that speaks
a better word than the blood of Abel”
a better word than the blood of Abel”
“I will remember their sins and
lawless deeds no more” (10.17)
lawless deeds no more” (10.17)
“by a single offering, he has
perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (10.14)
perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (10.14)
“your guilt has departed and your
sin is blotted out” (Isaiah 6.7)
sin is blotted out” (Isaiah 6.7)
Hebrews 10:22 let us approach with a true heart in full
assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and
our bodies washed with pure water.
assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and
our bodies washed with pure water.
“Shake
off thy guilty fears”
off thy guilty fears”
ARISE, MY SOUL, ARISE
Charles
Wesley (lyrics), Lewis Edson (music)
Wesley (lyrics), Lewis Edson (music)
Arise, my soul, arise;
shake off thy guilty fears:
The bleeding Sacrifice
in my behalf appears.
Before the throne my Surety
stands,
stands,
Before the throne my Surety
stands,
stands,
my name is written on his hands.
He ever lives above,
for me to intercede;
his all-redeeming love,
his precious blood to plead.
His blood atoned for all our
race,
race,
His blood atoned for all our
race,
race,
and sprinkles now the throne of
grace.
grace.
Five bleeding wounds he bears,
received on Calvary;
they pour effectual prayers,
they strongly plead for me.
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they
cry,
cry,
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they
cry,
cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner
die!”
die!”
The Father hears him pray,
his dear Anointed One;
he cannot turn away
the presence of his Son.
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
and tells me I am born of God.
My God is reconciled;
his pardoning voice I hear;
he owns me for his child,
I can no longer fear.
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And, “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.
