Jesus Paid it All

Romans 3:23-26

As I reflected on these verses, the old hymn "Jesus Paid it All" came to mind. I did a little bit of 'internet-based research' and discovered the story behind this hymn. I share it with you in the hopes that it will encourage you as it did me. While it doesn't directly reflect Paul's words in Romans 3:23 - all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God - it does remind us that only Jesus can remove our guilt and our sin.

"Jesus Paid it All" was written in 1865 by Elvina Hall. The pastor in her Methodist church was praying mightily and at great length, and she found her mind wandering.....and the words to a hymn were forming in her mind. But she didn't have any paper to write them down.....until she happened on the front of the hymnbook in the pew. She scribbled the words to to the first verse on the flyleaf of the hymnal and shared them with the pastor as she was leaving church that morning:

I hear the Savior say,
"Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all."

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,He washed it white as snow.

Her pastor smiled and said, you know, our organist, John Grape, just wrote a new tune he shared with me. These words would work beautifully with his music. And from that humble beginning, one of the most beloved hymns of the ages was created. Even 160 years later, it rings true.

Please take 3 minutes and listen to this beautiful version of the song.

Yes, it's the Lenten season. Time for us to reflect on what Jesus has done for us. He has paid it all. He has washed us white as snow. We have all sinned, and we are all deserving of eternal punishment. Thanks be to God for the gift of his son, Jesus Christ.