In My Place Condemned He Stood

As we move through Holy Week here at Grace Church, my mind and heart have been drawn to the lyrics of Philip Bliss’ hymn, Hallelujah! What a Savior!—particularly the opening couplet of the second stanza, but really to that whole verse:

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Due completely and solely to this sacrificial work by the Lord Jesus Christ, bearing the guilt and punishment for my sin as my Substitute, I have been reconciled to Him, clothed with His righteousness, adopted into His family, and am now living in the certain hope of His return and the full and final delivery of His Kingdom!

This week at Grace Church we are celebrating these historical events in Jesus’ life that save us from death, and the fear of death, when we receive Him by faith. Yesterday was Palm Sunday where we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when He was celebrated as Messiah and King.

Three days from now we will acknowledge Maundy Thursday for the first time here—7:00 pm in the Fireside Room, sponsored by our Kerdos ABF. Here we will remember Jesus’ shepherding and teaching of His disciples in the upper room where they gathered for the Passover meal, the Last Supper. Jesus said to them, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another…” (Joh.13:34). Maundy is derived from the Latin word for command.

We will gather in the sanctuary for our traditional Good Friday service, also at 7:00 pm.

Then on Easter Sunday morning, following a family breakfast at 9:00 in CE13 hosted by our Machaira/Petros ABF, we will join in corporate worship, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus—special start time: 10:15.

Don’t miss any of these!