Eternal Son, forever blest.
In whom the Father's heart found rest.
Eternal counsels to Him know,
By Him on earth God's love was shown
He dwelt above in purest light,
Yet came to earth where all was night.
That we defile'd in God's sight,
Might dwell at last in glory bright.

His coming forth from heaven afar,
Was heralded by shining star.
And glory round the shepherds shone,
The heavens were filled with praising throng.
Glory to God shall never cease.
Good will to men, on earth be peace.
The humble ones to manger went,
And there to Him the knee was bent.

He grew up in a place obscure,
Where sinful men and women were.
He was not marred by sin at all,
He lived unstained by Adam's fall.
By Him were Satan's captives freed,
He lived for God in word and deed.
The mystery of godliness,
By Him on earth was manifest.

He blessing brought to young and old,
And yet He had no lands or gold.
He healed the sick and raised the dead,
Men marvelled at the words He said.
He gave and gave from day to day,
Not one was ever turned away.
Amazing grace, He loved his foes,
And yet the crowd a robber chose.

His enemies in counsel meet,
Hating the light, found darkness sweet.
The One whose worth outweighs earth's gold,
For thirty silver coins was sold.
And He who heaven's love displayed,
Was by a traitor's kiss betrayed.
And the appointed Judge of all,
Lone stands in Pilate's judgement hall.

They charged Him with unlawful aims,
The misconstrued His rightful claims.
False charge of blasphemy was brought
For this false witnesses were sought,
Their bitter hate, with envy fed,
Demands His precious blood be shed.
For that there could be found no cause.
"I find no fault" "Emphatic clause"

But lo, they send Him forth to die,
That awful shout, "Him, Crucify".
They rush Him on, with bleeding back,
He turned not from predestined track.
In judgement hall He made no sound,
But now what matchless words He found.
As precious blood those nails forth drew,
"Forgive". They know not what they do.

The blows, the spitting, thorns and shame,
Could not compare with what then came.
From midday light, to blackest night,
An awful darkness shrouds that sight.
The Son of God. O wondrous grace,
Is suffering in the sinners' place.
The sinless Saviour, undefiled,
That sinful man be reconciled.

" 'Tis finished". There the Saviour cries,
And bows His blessed head and dies.
God there the perfect man forsook,
Bids sinners to that cross now look.
'Tis there alone salvation's found,
God pardons on redemption ground.
There is no other ground or stay,
For Jesus said. "I am the Way".

His body lay in darksome tomb,
Disciples leave, hearts filled with gloom.
But hope returned on that third day,
And all the clouds were rolled away.
The Lord arose, new life He gives,
Himself in heaven, now He lives.
God has decreed, all knees shall bow,
And all confess Him Lord. Amen.

F C Barnes ©