Wounded for You

The French abbot Bernard of Clairvaux is thought to have been born in his father s castle in 1090. A well-educated man, he developed a passion for poetry and literature, inspired by his love of the Bible.

Bernard lived during a difficult period in church history, a time filled with divisions and disputes. Yet he gained respect for his piety and integrity. Martin Luther called him the best monk who ever lived.

Around 1153, Bernard wrote a hymn about Jesus death. We know this hymn largely because of the German translation by Paul Gerhardt, who was born on this day in 1607. The version commonly sung in English, O Sacred Head Now Wounded, was translated by James Alexander in 1830.

The hymn focuses on Jesus as He suffered and died for our sins. Adorned only with a crown of thorns, we see Him, pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn! He was sinless yet went through deadly pain and died in our place.

As we think about Jesus sacrifice, words can’t express all that we owe to Him: What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend? In gratitude, we need to be His forever. Our prayer must be that we never, never outlive our love for Him.

Today, remember all that Jesus has done for you. Thank Him! And live for Him!