For Me, Kind Jesus

And they crucified Him.

—Mark 15:24 RSV

The below hymn was recorded on Wednesday evening at a Tenebrae service. The recording is not flawless — in fact the first verse is missing — and yet I have listened over and over because of the message.

We are not perfect, really quite messy with our personal issues and life challenges. And yet — JESUS! His love covers, acquits, and meets us in our frailty. From there, we can meet others with His loving message.

"Ah, Holy Jesus," vs. 2-5

3:44

Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?

Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.

'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee:

I crucified thee.

Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offer'd;

The slave had sinned, and the Son hath suffer'd;

For man's atonement, while he nothing heedeth,

God intercedeth.

For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,

Thy mortal sorrow, and thy life's oblation;

Thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,

For my salvation.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,

I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,

Think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,

Not my deserving. Amen.

Johann Heerman, 1630; Tr. Robert Bridges, 1899

Prayer

We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,

for by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.

Thought

May you know His kindness at this very hour.

P.R.I.S.M. - 5 steps

Listen to A Holy Jesus again and follow the steps below while viewing the picture.

PRAY to quiet your heart

READ the words of the devotion

IMMERSE yourself within the picture

SELECT a word or phrase to repeat

MARK down your grace-filled insight

More about PRISM™

p.s. Here are the words to the first verse of Ah, Holy Jesus:

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,

That man to judge thee hath in hate pretended?

By foes derided, by thine own rejected,

O most afflicted.