A Green Hill Far Away

Cecil Alexander sat by the bed of her daughter, who was serious ill. Cecil, the daughter of a large Irish landowner, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1818. Later she married William Alexander, an important church leader. She developed skill as a poet and often wrote poems for family and friends.

Having a real passion for children, she had written a book that told the stories of hymns designed to help children learn basic Biblical truths. Her interests came together that night in 1847 as she sat by her daughter. Her thoughts turned to a small grassy mound, near Derry, Ireland, which always reminded her of Calvary.

Reflecting on the hill on which Jesus died, she wrote: “There is a green hill far away, outside a city wall.” She wrote how there, on Calvary, “the dear Lord was crucified, Who died to save us all.”

She realized that it was impossible to understand the agony He experienced for us: “We may not know, we cannot tell, what pains He had to bear.” But Cecil believed that “it was for us He hung and suffered there.” She knew that “He died that we might be forgiv’n,” that we might be “saved by His precious blood” and “go at last to Heav’n.”

Only Jesus could have accomplished these things, for “there was no other good enough to pay the price of sin; He only could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in.” And He did all of this because of how much He loved us. “We must love Him, too, and trust in His redeeming blood, and try His works to do.”

Today, remember to thank Jesus for all that He has done for you!