"He Gave Himself"

by Jarvis, A. G. | Category: General | Jun 1972

"He gave Himself" to the foul traitor's kiss,

What wondrous self-humiliation this I

"He gave Himself" into the cruel hands

Of Pilate's soldiers and high priest's brutal 'bands.

He gave His back to smiter's savage blows

Till from the furrows deep the red blood flows.

His face He hid not from the foulest shame

Of spitting by the men for whom He came

From heaven's glory, passing angels by,

In love divine upon the cross to die.

The scarlet robe, the plaited crown of thorns,

This mock insignia His form adorns;

What woeful hours the blessed Saviour passed

Before He came to Calvary at last!

'Twas there He finally and fully gave

His blood, Himself our ruined race to save.

He bore reproach until His heart they broke,

Yet not one word in self-defence He spoke.

They raised Him high, exposed that all might see

The tortured "Man of sorrows" on the tree;

Until the darkness fell, and it was night.

And then He knew the saddest hours of all,

As on His Son God's judgement sore did fall.

Alas I alas! that awful orphan cry,

"Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani".

"FORSAKEN", Oh, most dark and dreadful hours!

But then and there He overcame the powers

Of darkness - Satan with his fiendish hosts.

(This is the hour of which the Christian boasts.)

The cry "'Tis finished" tells the work is done,

That mighty work the Father gave the Son.

The work complete, He bows His sacred head,

And for "three days" was numbered with the dead.

Then He arose with keys of death and hell,

The glorious One, "Who hath done all things well".

"Far above all" the mighty Victor rose,

Beneath His feet for ever all His foes.

"He gave Himself"! More blessed thus to give,

And then in highest glory ever live.

"Most blessed for ever" this prophetic word

Is thus fulfilled in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jarvis, A. G. | Jun 1972
General

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