Who is this Man?
A Hymn
Editor’s Note:
James brings us a wonderful hymn today inspired by the Gospel according to Mark. This might be his best work yet.
Enjoy
- Frank Theodat
Is it possible to cover 9 chapters of scripture in a single hymn? Well, I’ll let you be the judge, but that’s what I tried to do here.
To capture the wonder of the people who again and again asked, “who is this man?”
They asked who he thought he was when he forgave the sins of the paralytic (Mark 2:7), why he sat with sinners (Mark 2:16), how he could cast out demons (Mark 3:22), who he was that could calm wind and waves (Mark 4:41), were amazed at him raising the dead (Mark 5:42), asked how the carpneter, Mary’s son could teach (Mark 6:3), how he could feed five thousand and walk on water.
But underlying all those questions is one “Who is this man?!”
Jesus himself asks the question in Mark 8:27-29:
And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”
Spread throughout Mark are those confessions. Peter says he is the Christ (Mark 8:29), Legion calls him Jesus, Son of the Most High God (Mark 5:7) and Jesus himself teaches that he is the one come to die (Mark 9:31).
All of which wove together to form this hymn:
Who is this man who pardons sin And heals the sick and lame? Who has God's pow'r to welcome in And cleanse the sinner's shame? He is the Christ who came to die, The Son of God Most High. Who is this man, this man of God, Who tells the storm be still? The one who sounds his call abroad: "Repent and do my will!" He is the Christ who came to die, The Son of God Most High. Who is this man whom demons fear And Pharisees despise; The one who bids the blind draw near, And opens up their eyes. He is the Christ who came to die, The Son of God Most High. Who is this man who breaks the bread And feeds five thousand men; Who calls to wake the sleeping dead, And bids them live again? He is the Christ who came to die, The Son of God Most High. Who is this man who shines like light Upon the mountainside? Revealing heavenly glory bright And humbling human pride. He is the Christ who came to die, The Son of God Most High.
Who do YOU say that he is?