Man of Sorrows by Brooke Ligertwood and Matt Crocker, 2012

1. Man of sorrows Lamb of God
By His own betrayed
The sin of man and wrath of God
Has been on Jesus laid

2. Silent as He stood accused
Beaten mocked and scorned
Bowing to the Father’s will
He took a crown of thorns

Observe: Yesterday, we learned of the eternal intra-Trinitarian plan of redemption that is called the Covenant of Redemption. It was a legally binding agreement on all three persons of the Godhead, with specific roles and actions required to preserve God’s holiness, and redeem his creation.

Verses 1 and 2 describe the role Jesus was given. He would take on flesh, become, as Isaiah prophesied, despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief … like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:3a, 7b, ESV).

His obedience to the Father satisfied the requirement God had placed on humanity to love and honor him above all else as faithful image-bearers of their Creator. Where the first Adam failed, Jesus succeeded. In Adam’s fall, we sinned all, in Jesus’ obedience, we are made righteous by grace alone. Paul says the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.” (Romans 5:15). This truth leads to the doxology of the chorus.

Chorus. Oh that rugged cross my salvation
Where Your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out hallelujah
Praise and honor unto Thee

We often fail to recognize that had we been there in Jerusalem, we would have also cried out, “crucify him!” Another song puts it this way, “it was my sin that held him there.” What kept Jesus on that cross? While it was our sin, more importantly, it was his love for his Father and for those the Father had given him.

3. Sent of heaven God’s own Son
To purchase and redeem
And reconcile the very ones
Who nailed Him to that tree

The bridge describes our new position before the infinitely holy God. We are credited with the righteousness of Christ to which nothing more can be added. Furthermore, set free from the curse of sin we desire, are enabled to live in a manner pleasing to God. Your position as declared righteous, cannot change, and your progression in obedience is now joyfully sought.

Bridge. Now my debt is paid, It is paid in full
By the precious blood That my Jesus spilled
Now the curse of sin Has no hold on me
Whom the Son sets free Oh is free indeed

Chorus. Oh that rugged cross…

4. See the stone is rolled away
Behold the empty tomb
Hallelujah God be praised
He’s risen from the grave

Chorus. Oh that rugged cross my salvation
Where Your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out hallelujah
Praise and honor unto Thee

May this be your song throughout the day as you meditate on the great gift from the Father of his Son and Spirit.

Blessings, Pastor Don.