Come to Jesus (again)

I’ve come across this Chris Rice hymn recently. I’ve heard it before, but it’s been good to ‘rediscover’ it.

Weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to die
O, raise your head for Love is passing by
Come to Jesus, come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live
I love the song’s simplicity. It’s about faith, hope and love that centres on Jesus, the Jesus who called all to come to him. Mothers with their children, people who’d messed up, those who others had rejected or overlooked. People always came to Jesus – the baby in the manger, the wandering preacher, the amazing miracle-worker, the crucified victim, the resurrected victor…

Now your burden’s lifted and carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain
So sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live

And like a newborn baby, don’t be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk, sometimes we fall
So fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live

This song is intensely personal. This isn’t theory or theology; it’s not meditation, self-care or self-improvement; it’s not about a Jesus who lived as an example or a teacher; it’s not about going to church or believing in Jesus… It repeatedly calls for me to personally respond to Jesus, interact with Jesus whatever I’m doing, however I’m feeling.

Sometimes the way is lonely and steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain
Then cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live

O, and when the love spills over and music fills the night
And when you can’t contain your joy inside
Then dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live

I love the way this song describes the different seasons of life, the different aspects of my life’s journey. When all is good and all is well and I’m singing and dancing… when I’m weak and vulnerable and I’m crying and falling. In each situation, each verse concludes, ‘…to Jesus and live’. Jesus is there, bringing life.

Some hymns speak of death as crossing the river or finishing the race. I appreciate this picture of goodbye, peace, joy, and flying to Jesus.
And with your final heartbeat, kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory’s side
And fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live.