Today in church we sang the first verse to hymn #29, A Poor Wayfairing Man of Grief, one of my favorites. As the music stopped and the following talk ensued, I couldn’t help but read on through all 7 verses. As I read verse 6 the word “free” jumped out at me. I know I have read and sang it before, but today it seemed particularly odd to me. I pondered it for a second and asked myself why it was there. What significance does it have? Words, especially those related to the gospel aren’t empty. They hold purpose and depth. So why “free”?
The verse reads:
In pris’n I saw him next, condemned
To meet a traitor’s doom at mourn.
The tide of lying tongues I stemmed,
And honored him ‘mid shame and scorn,
My friendship’s utmost zeal to try,
He asked if I for him would die.
The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill,
But my free spirit cried, “I will!”
. . .
What makes the spirit free? That is what I began to ponder. I know what that feels like, that free spirit, but how do we get it? The contents of the verse tell us that this person had to make a very brave choice to agree to die in His place. He didn’t know if he really would have to die in His place, but he did know that he had to be willing to die in His place. Making that choice in faith and hope is what sets us free. Are we willing to follow Him regardless of the situation? Are we willing to follow Him regardless of the difficulty in doing so? Are we willing to sacrifice all to be with Him again? That is the choice we make in faith and hope that sets us free. Be brave.
Forever grateful.
