Ah Holy Jesus How Hast Thou Offended – Hymn Lyric
“Ah Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended: A Reflection on God’s Unconditional Love” is a hymn that reminds us of Jesus’ deep love and sacrifice for us. It speaks to our guilt for our sins, but assures us of God’s infinite mercy. Through His suffering and death, Jesus offers us redemption and a path to salvation, reminding us to live lives worthy of His love.
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Ah Holy Jesus How Hast Thou Offended – Hymn Lyric
Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
that we to judge thee have in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted!
Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee!
‘Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee;
I crucified thee.
Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
the slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered.
For our atonement, while we nothing heeded,
God interceded.
For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,
thy mortal sorrow, and thy life’s oblation;
thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,
for my salvation.
Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,
not my deserving.
Meaning of Ah Holy Jesus How Hast Thou Offended
Ah Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended: A Reflection on God’s Unconditional Love
When we sing the hymn “Ah Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended,” we are reminded of the deep love and sacrifice Jesus made for us. The words of this hymn speak to our hearts, reminding us of the profound guilt we feel for our sins, but also assuring us of God’s infinite mercy and love. In this reflection, let us dive deeper into the meaning behind the hymn and explore the significance of Jesus’ suffering and our redemption.
The hymn opens with the line, “Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended, that we to judge thee have in hate pretended?” These words invite us to reflect on our own actions and how we often judge others without fully understanding or appreciating their true worth. Jesus, who was perfect and without sin, became the target of hatred and rejection. Yet, despite this mistreatment, He responded with love and forgiveness. Our sinful nature caused us to reject Him, but Jesus still took upon Himself the burden of our guilt and shame.
The hymn poses the question, “Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?” The answer indicted in the verse is clear: “Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee! ‘Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee; I crucified thee.” Here, we witness a confession of our sins, acknowledging that it was our own sinful actions that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. It is a humbling moment, as we come to terms with the reality of our shortcomings.
However, the hymn also proclaims the good news of redemption. It reminds us that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, willingly offered Himself for us, the sheep who had gone astray. His suffering and death became an atonement for our sins, bringing us back into God’s grace. Even though we may not have realized the gravity of our actions, God interceded on our behalf, showing His boundless love and mercy.
The following verse reflects on the incarnation, mortal sorrow, life’s oblation, and bitter passion of Jesus. It serves as a reminder of the immense sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation. In His incarnation, Jesus took on human form, experiencing the joys and sorrows of life. His mortal sorrow depicts the pain and hardships He endured for our sake. His life’s oblation refers to the giving of Himself as a perfect sacrifice on our behalf. Finally, His bitter passion represents the immense suffering He faced during His crucifixion.
As we digest these powerful verses, it becomes clear that we can never truly repay Jesus for what He has done for us. The hymn acknowledges this truth, stating, “Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee, I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee, think on thy pity and thy love unswerving, not my deserving.” We can never earn God’s love or forgiveness through our own efforts. Instead, we can humbly adore Him, reflect on His never-ending mercy and love, and commit ourselves to a life of gratitude and prayer.
In summary, the hymn “Ah Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended” serves as a poignant reminder of Jesus’ selfless sacrifice and God’s unconditional love for humanity. It invites us to reflect on our own sins, confessing our guilt and acknowledging our need for redemption. Through His suffering and death, Jesus atoned for our sins, offering us a path to salvation. As we internalize the message of this hymn, may we strive to live lives worthy of God’s love, and may we always remember the incredible gift of Jesus’ sacrifice.
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