Mid-Week Musings

March 6, 2024

Suggested Reading: Matthew 27:27-31

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

One of the hymns that best captures the suffering of Jesus on the cross is the hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.” The hymn uses words to paint a picture of what Jesus’ head and face might have looked like as He suffered and endured the anguish of death by crucifixion.

The words of the hymn originally appeared as part of a lengthy poem consisting of seven sections. Each section focused on a different part of Christ’s crucified body: feet, knees, hands, sides, breasts, heart, and head. The closing section, the part addressing Christ’s head, has become its best known and is sung as a hymn that has become widely used in hymnals.

The next time you hear or sing the words of this passion hymn, try envisioning Christ upon the cross with His wounded head weighed down with grief and shame. Try imagining His face pale from anguish and abuse. Think of the intense pain He felt from the crown of thorns upon His head.

This powerful and sorrowful hymn reminds us of the immense thanks we owe Him, our “dearest Friend.” What He suffered on the cross “was all for sinners’ gain.” He felt the pain for our transgressions and He took upon Himself the punishment for sin we deserved.

“. . . And should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.”

Pastor Ron

Prayer suggestion: As you pray, ask God to help you contemplate Christ’s suffering and death on the cross.

(On Sunday morning, March 10, the sermon title will be Jesus’ Words from the Cross: “‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”)

Some of the information for this article is from the following resource:
Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1990), 113.