There is a beautiful terrible Cross
Where though You committed no sin
Savior, You suffered the most wicked fate
On the cruelest creation of men
Yet on that beautiful terrible Cross
You did what only You could
Turning that dark-inspired evil of hell
Into our soul’s greatest good
We see the love that You showed us
We see the life that You lost
We bow in wonder and praise You
For the beautiful, terrible Cross
There on that beautiful, terrible Cross
Though darkness was strong on that hill
You remained sovereign, Lord, still in control
As Your perfect plan was fulfilled
Oh, we gained the riches of Heaven
Jesus, You paid the horrible cost
We stand forgiven and praise You
For the beautiful terrible Cross
In the Cross, in the Cross
Be my glory ever
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river
Selah
Songwriters: Todd Smith, Chad Cates, Tony Wood
Additional lyrics to ‘Near The Cross‘ by Fanny Crosby and William Doane
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Despite the utter depravity, the evil, the darkness and destruction which was intended by the enemy of our soul’s on that dark, dark day…there truly never was nor ever will be any thing MORE perfect, pure, and beautiful than the Cross on which the Christ accomplished God’s perfect plan. When the time came, Jesus willfully, intentionally, purposefully gave up His life. All because of love.
And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.
And at once the curtain of the sanctuary of the temple was torn
in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split.
The tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints
who had fallen asleep in death were raised [to life];
Matthew 26:50-52
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three,
because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle.
And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.”
Luke 23:44-46
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?”
which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “Look, He’s calling for Elijah!”
Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink,
and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take Him down!”
But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last.
Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom.
Mark 15:33-38
Magnificent, incredible, beautiful acts of nature happened at the exact moment of Jesus’ death. As He laid down His life and offered Himself as the perfect, spotless Lamb—
- the sky became as dark as night for three hours
- the massive (60 foot high and four inch thick) curtain in front of the Holy of Holies in the temple at Jerusalem tore in half from TOP to bottom
- the tombs opened and many believers were raised to life
- there was an earthquake
There was nothing…at all…beautiful about the Cross itself. But there is no denying the beautiful awesomeness, the absolute perfection in the events surrounding Jesus’ death on the Cross.
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The love that Jesus proved by His sacrifice of Himself…is beautiful.
The redemption of all mankind back to God the Father…is beautiful.
The mercy and grace that was poured out on each of us…is beautiful.What can be more beautiful than the Hope of spending eternity
in the presence of Almighty God and our Lord, Jesus the Christ?
