Charles Wesley was John Wesley’s brother and co founder of the Methodist movement. Whilst John is remembered as a preacher, evangelist and organiser, Charles primarily is remembered as a hymn writer.

I enjoy contemporary Christian music and Charles Wesley was at the forefront of contemporary Christian music of his generation. A good way to think of Methodism when it started is as the Hillsongs of its day, a movement well known for its music and worship style. (though the theology is very different)

Wesley had a rare talent for combining the Scriptural, the theological and the experiential. What I mean by that is his lyrics often make us think about what the Bible teaches, helps us understand the implications of that teaching and express our emotions around what has happened to us as result.

One of my all time “favourite” Wesley hymns is one of his lesser known works. Its a hymn that invites us to the foot of the cross with Mary, John and the women who didnt desert Jesus to gaze on Jesus and also helps us reflect on what the cross means. Im going to read this hymn (when no one is around I may sing it) every day this week as we head towards Good Friday to prepare my heart

Id like to invite you to join me in doing that and also to, in the words of Charles Wesley,

Come, feel with me his blood applied:

As the Holy Spirit takes the truth of the Cross and allows us to be touched afresh by our salvation.

HERE IT IS, O LOVE DIVINE WHAT HAST THOU DONE?

1. O Love divine, what has thou done!
The immortal God hath died for me!
The Father’s coeternal Son
bore all my sins upon the tree.
Th’ immortal God for me hath died:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

2. Is crucified for me and you,
to bring us rebels back to God.
Believe, believe the record true,
ye all are bought with Jesus’ blood.
Pardon for all flows from his side:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

3. Behold him, all ye that pass by,
the bleeding Prince of life and peace!
Come, sinners, see your Savior die,
and say, “Was ever grief like his?”
Come, feel with me his blood applied:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX5S76SyFec