He Came to Die

He came in grace and lowliness

He came from heaven high

He came in love and holiness       

And yet, He came to die.

A manger for a cradle He,

A helpless babe did lie

A life begun so tenderly

And yet, He came to die.

His life poured out in servitude

His mercy healing lives

His deeds attracted multitudes

And yet He came to die.

What glory and what Kingly pow’r!

What great authority!

And yet, what weight in every hour,

Because He came to die.

The anguish in Gethsemane,

The “Not my will, but Thine;”

The Maker of humanity

Goes as a Lamb to die.

In suff’ring inexpressible,

“Forgive them,” is His cry

Redemption for a criminal

As Heaven’s treasure dies.

The dark prevails over the sun

The trembling earth replies

The night must surely now have won –

The Prince of Life has died.

In burial, within the tomb

In still of death He lies

Into the night, in deepest gloom,

“Why did He have to die?”

For love unto His Father’s name

For love of you and I

For love He robbed us of the blame

That we may live, He died.

Now look, the rising of the light!

Now see, the breath divine!

Now sin has lost its bitter fight,

For Jesus is alive!