Hymn of the Week: And Can It Be That I Should Gain?

If Charles Wesley had only written the first verse of this hymn, it would still be one of the great hymns of all time. Can it be that I would gain? I, whose sins chased Him to Calvary? I, who caused His pain, can receive the fullest benefit from His death?

The second stanza reminds us of the mystery of Christ's atoning death: Who can comprehend it? Not you or me—not even the angels of heaven.

The third stanza encapsulates several significant doctrines: He left heaven. He gave His grace...freely. His mercy is also free...and it finds us (and not the other way around). He bled for Adam's race; and without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin. (Hebrews 9:22)

The fourth stanza reminds us that no matter what we thought of ourselves before salvation, we were the prisoners of sin, on our way to its dark judgment. Then Jesus came into our lives, and all is changed!

The final two stanzas should be a description of our Christian walk: We hear His voice; We feel His blessings; We fear no condemnation; We approach Him boldly in prayer. Christ, who died for us, is our own.

Be blessed this week!

And Can It Be That I Should Gain?

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.