How Deep the Fathers Love

We’ve been singing this Stuart Townend song in church for many years now. I particularly appreciate it because it brings me in awe and humility to focus on the God who loves me, and the Jesus who died for me, in a simple yet profound way.

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

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen one,
Bring many sons to glory

It speaks of the heart of Christian faith, my faith …of a loving Father who gives His Son …of loss, pain and suffering …of God’s mind and heart …of me, a wretch who can become a treasure. I’m challenged to reflect, appreciate, understand better.

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I look at a man on a cross, suffering, dying. It’s a familiar story – I’ve known it all my life. But I’m there in the crowd watching as the horror-drama unfolds. I reflect on his motivation, his feelings… my role, my response. I’m watching… I’m ashamed… I’m grateful… He dies.

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

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

I return to today. I’m humbled as I reflect on my smallness, alongside Jesus’ death and resurrection. It raises many questions; often I’m with Townend ‘I cannot give an answer’. What I do know, with increasing certainty, is that the loving Father, and the suffering yet resurrected Jesus have been there with me throughout my life… and I continue to pray that I will ‘See thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, day by day…’