Near The Cross
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The hymn “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross“, Methodist Hymn 199 (GBH 234), was written by Frances Jane Crosby. She was born in Southeast in the New York State on March 24, 1820, but became blind at six weeks from maltreatment of her eyes during a spell of illness. At fifteen she entered the New York Institution for the Blind, where she received a good education, and became a teacher in the institution in 1847. She continued till March 1858, teaching English grammar, rhetoric and American history.
She wrote the words of many songs during the vacations of 1852 and 1853, while staying at North Reading, Massachusetts. She wrote them for Dr. Geo. F. Root, then the teacher of music at the blind institution.
She began writing Sunday-school hymns in 1864, and supported herself by writing hymns since then. Her first hymn was,
“We are going, we are going, To a home beyond the skies.”
She could compose at any time and did not need to wait for any special inspiration, and her best hymns have come on the spur of the moment. She always composed with an open book in her hand, generally a copy of Golden Hymns, held closely over her eyes, bottom side up! She learned to play on the guitar and piano while at the institution, and has a clear soprano voice. She also received a technical training in music, and for this reason she could, and did, compose airs for some of her hymns. One of these is, “Safe in the arms of Jesus”, probably one of her best known hymns, was her own favorite. Fanny loved her work, and was happy in it. The secret of this contentment dates from her first composition at the age of eight years, which had continued to be her philosophy.
“It has been the motto of my life,“ she says.
The composition reads:
“O what a happy soul am I!
Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.”
She said had it not been for her affliction she might not have had so good an education, nor so great an influence; and certainly not so fine a memory (She knew many portions of the Bible by heart, and had committed the first four books of the Old Testament, and the four Gospels to memory, before she was ten years old!)
She did most of her writing for The Biglow & Main Co., for whom she composed over four thousand hymns. Her hymns have been in great demand and have been used by many popular composers.
Her works also include “The Bright Forever,” “The Blessed Homeland,” “To the Work,” and “Rescue the Perishing.” Most of Fanny’s published hymns have appeared under the name of Fanny J. Crosby or Mrs. Yan Alstyne, but quite a large number have appeared under the nom de plumes (pen name or literary double) of Grace J. Frances, Mrs. C. M. Wilson, Lizzie Edwards, Ella Dale, Henrietta E. Blair, Rose Atherton, Maud Marion, Leah Carlton; and nearly two hundred different names!
Although she has a great many contemporary works, her skills as a contemporary poet have little to do with her world-wide fame. She became famous because of her Sunday-school songs and gospel hymns.
Please find below the four stanzas of “Jesus keep me near the cross.”
1. Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.
Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
2. Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me. [Refrain]
3. Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o'er me. [Refrain]
4. Near the cross! I'll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river. [Refrain]
One of the scripture texts that inspired this great hymn is in John 19.
READ John 19:23-27
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said,
“Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.”
This fulfilled the Scripture that says,
“They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.”
So that is what they did.
Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her,
“Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.”
And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
(John 19:23-27 NKJV)
This is a remarkable story. Jesus had been crucified and the soldiers were having fun sharing probably His only property – His clothes ! Most of His disciples had fled. But four people; His mother Mary, His Aunt Mary, His friend Mary Magdalene, and the disciple He loved; were there. Four Roman soldiers sharing the worldly, and four SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS witnessing the eternal; all at the same place, and moment! It is worth noting that while Mother of Jesus, and her sister were family, Mary Magdalene and John the disciple loved Jesus because He first loved them (Luke 8:1-2, John 13:25).
This is interesting because not all people that Jesus loved, loved Him back (Mark 10:21-22).
The incarnation of Jesus — what we celebrate at Christmas — has no basis but LOVE. Jesus told Nicodemus:
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
(John 3:16)
How are we returning the Love that Christ loved us?
The Bulletin Blurb on the Hymnary.ORG website states:
“The refrain of this hymn echoes the words of the apostle Paul, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14 ESV) The stanzas are a prayer that the Christian would always remember the redemptive work of Christ on the cross, and live faithfully in that memory.”
Even as we celebrate a commemoration of the birth of Jesus the Christ; with all the fun that is usually associated with it, may we remember that without His redemptive Death on the Cross of Calvary, His birth was simply an ordinary birth; with no significance.
May the celebration of Christmas remind those who don’t know Him, that He was born to die so that we will have life in its fullness.
MEMORY VERSE
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
(John 12:32)
QUESTIONS
- How significant is Christmas to you?
- Do you know that its significance is in the WORK ON THE CROSS and not THE BIRTH IN A MANGER?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help me to see the essence, and not the festivity, of Christ’s birth.
A RENDITION OF “Jesus keep me near the cross.”
CREDITS
HYMNARY.ORG, “Near the cross,” Near the Cross | Hymnary.org
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you.
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
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We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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