MUSIC MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt; fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind, yea, all I need, in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, of thy great love the breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, here for a season, then above: O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

I grew up singing this hymn almost every Sunday as it was a staple of the worship tradition of which I was a part and, although it was sung often, I never tired of it. The words were so very comforting, letting me know that however others may have seen me, I could come to Christ just as I was, with no conditions. This now timeless hymn was written in 1835 by English poet Charlotte Elliot and was later set to music to the tune Woodworth composed by American hymn-tune composer William Bradbury who also composed the tune for the beloved hymn Jesus Loves Me.

This Sunday, we will hear this beautiful hymn sung at the 10 am service as a meditation on the Gospel reading from Mark "As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed."

These people mentioned in the Gospel came to Jesus out of great faith, just as they were. May we have the faith to come to Jesus just as we are. O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

I'll see you online and in church!

Tim Brumfield