Hallelujah! What a Savior.

The most beautiful story, told through some of my favorite Easter songs.

Gethsemane:

Into a lonely garden, my Savior went one day. Burdened with heart so heavy, knowing His death was just hours away. ‘Tis midnight, and in the garden, the suffering Savior prays alone. There, in that lonely garden, prostrate my Savior lay; weeping with tears so bitter unto his Father my Jesus did pray. There, away from all removed the Savior wrestles lone with fears; even that disciple whom he loved heeds not his Master’s grief and tears. For other’s guilt the Man of Sorrows weeps in blood. In fervent prayer for you and me he wrestles there in agony; with drops sweat, of crimson hue, His brow was wet as with dew. In tears, He knelt, with troubled soul, and there He felt death’s sorrow roll. And then before His vision came the crown of thorns, the cruel shame, the scorn of those He sought to save, the reeking cross, the silent grave. “This bitter cup, O Lord, i pray, take Thou away. Oh please don’t let me die, if there’s something else that can be done to save Thy son; if I must shed my blood to save a sinful world, Father let Thy will be done”. Then on the breeze is borne the song that angels know; unheard by mortals are the strains that sweetly soothe the Savior’s woe. Gethsemane! O sacred place! Once more I see my Savior’s face; it shines anew with glory now, as angels smooth His pallid brow.

Pilots hall:

Then in Hall of Pilot, my Savior stood alone. There were Hebrew children, proud of who they were, shouting “Crucify Him” at their King. There were Roman soldiers with their tools of war. Mocking and abusing, crowning Him with thorns. Also there was Pontius Pilot, he was governor, trying to decide the cause that day, finding the Savior had no fault His own. Bearing shame and scoffing rude; in my place condemned He stood. I can see His friends as they follow afar, i can feel His lonely spirit sigh. Ashamed, I hear my voice call out among the scoffers.

The Hill:

And He, bearing His cross, went forth i to a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: where they crucified Him, and two other with him, on either side, and Jesus in the midst. There on an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame, He was nailed. Behold the Man upon the cross, my sins upon His shoulders. I can see the rusty nails, through His hands and His feet. See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down, did ever such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown? Heartbroken and forsaken, Jesus was crucified. It was my sin that held Him there, until it was accomplished, His dying breath has brought me life. The Father turns His face away, as wounds which mar the Chosen one brings many sons to glory. I know that it is finished. Who guilty of a crime so low? Why did he have to die? Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart; His wounds have paid my ransom. How deep the Father’s love for us! How vast beyond all measure! That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure! In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty i see.

The tomb:

Now o’er my Savior sweeps deaths sable gloom. Low in the grave He lay, cold in the tomb. Closed are His pilgrim toils. Death now around Him coils. Vainly they watch His tomb. Vainly they seal the dead. Death cannot keep his prey. He tore the bars away. Just as the dawn was seen, with anxious feet comes Mary Magdalene with spices sweet. But the stone was moved and He had gone away. The angel said “fear not, i know whom seek ye, but He is risen. He arose a Victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign. Hallelujah, shout with every breath; Christ has triumphed over death!

“Man of sorrows” what a name for the Son of God who came, ruined sinners to reclaim! Guilty, vile and helpless we; spotless Son of God was He; full atonement- can it be? Oh, let me e’er this scene behold! Oh let me hear the story told of Him who there the victory won! 🤍e

Songs used:

‘Tis midnight by Willian B. Tappen

When I survey the wondrous cross by Isaac Watts

The eventide falls gently now by Clara M. Brooks

The Old Rugged Cross by George Bennard

Let me take another look by Milton Dodson

Hallelujah! What a Savior by Phillip p. Bliss

Death and Resurrection by Daniel O. Teasley

The Lonely Garden by John W Modgling

Gone by Eldridge Fox

Who killed Jesus by Mickey Holiday

How deep the Father’s love by Stuart Townsend