Jesus, keep me near the cross
Author: Fanny Crosby (1869)
1. Jesus, keep me near the cross; there a precious fountain, free to all, a healing stream, flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever, till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
2. Near the cross, a trembling soul, love and mercy found me; there the bright and morning star sheds its beams around me. (Refrain)
Jesus, keep me near the cross
Author: Fanny Crosby (1869)
1. Jesus, keep me near the cross; there a precious fountain, free to all, a healing stream, flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever, till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
2. Near the cross, a tre
3. Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me; help me walk from day to day with its shadow o’er me. (Refrain)
4. Near the cross I’ll watch and wait, hoping, trusting ever, till I reach the golden strand just beyond the river. (Refrain)
The death and resurrection of Jesus reminds us of the events before, around, at the cross and afterwards. We are reminded of all that Jesus did to bring us to where we are today. The events surrounding the cross is the center of the Christian faith and of our lives in Christ. All that we are and have become as we follow the Lord is because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, which gives us power in a World like this. May we all continue to experience the power of the resurrection in every area of life. Amen!
This hymn is one of my favourites! It helps me to constantly visualize the cross and the sufferings Jesus went through. As I meditate on this hymn, I am reminded that there is a need to keep the Cross in focus, regardless of where I have been, how far I have gone in life. I am reminded that no matter what we achieve as believers in Christ or as ministers of the gospel, we must not lose sight of the cross.
Our starting point as believers regardless of who we have become; what we have achieved; the heights we have reached; is THE CROSS! Every believer took off from the cross when we came to Jesus, dumping our sins which He gladly bore at the cross so we might be free/saved.
However, as we run this Christian race, we must keep the Cross in focus; we must not lose sight of the Cross. We must not get so engrossed that we lose sight of the cross which was our starting point, even as we press toward the mark for the price of the high calling. We must not allow our successes, fame, achievements, increase, influence, blessings, positions, comfort, opportunities, connections, ministries, occupations, professions etc make us lose sight of the Cross. As we advance in life, we must stay near the Cross; having it in focus; looking unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.
May nothing in this world be so precious to us as to make us lose sight of the Cross of Christ. Amen!
Happy Easter!
©Funmi Adebayo
