I was at the Baker’s Nook this morning (yes, I had a cinnamon roll to celebrate the end of my weight-loss fundraiser; no, I don’t hope to gain the weight back). As I sat there surrounded by chatter, I read the second to last entry in my Lent devotional book. On Day 46, known as Holy Saturday, the Scriptures are about Jesus’ burial and Joseph of Arimathea’s starring role.
On the opposite page, there’s a hymn book copy of “Rock of Ages”, a song that everyone knows. I found that Antrim Mennonite choir’s youtube version has 2,253,508 views.
I read through the words of the song, following them from line to line between the music notes. I guess despite having sung this song numerous times, I never really noticed it before.
For instance, verse two points out that my sin is so un-healable that even if I work as hard as possible, weep for hours, or throw all my energy and motivation against it, I cannot rid myself of sin. “Thou must save, and thou alone.”
Verse three agrees: I am foul. I am helpless. I am naked. I am empty-handed. But for Jesus Christ, my sin is simply not solve-able.
But I really noticed Verse One: What on earth is a “double cure”?
We talk a lot about cures in medicine, but often there’s not a cure, and if there is a cure, only one is needed. One disease, one cure.
Sin is the disease in this case. How can it have a double cure?
Simply, concisely, Augustus Toplady (the author of the song) provides the answer:
- Save from wrath
- Make me pure.
The Antrim Choir version below says “Save me from it’s 1.) guilt and 2.) power.”
So, sin is a double problem:
- Guilt-Sin is a past problem for all of us when we come to Christ. We deserve to die… but we don’t!
- Power-Sin tempts us as long as we live on this earth. Even the most faithful Christians deal with it… but they are not in it’s power!
Verse One already mentioned the water and the blood. John 19:34 says “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.” Mr. Toplady switched the order for the sake of rhyme.
It’s as if he is linking these ideas:
- Past sin-the blood of Jesus as the sacrifice for me, saving me from wrath and guilt.
- Future sin-the water of the Holy Spirit to convict and warn me, making me pure and freeing me from the power of sin.
A double problem. A double cure.
What an amazing remedy! What a cure! May the story fall with force on your heart this Easter.
2 thoughts on “What on earth is a “Double Cure”?”
I read your post yesterday before leaving for church for a Communion service in the evening. Once there, Mel Esh opened his message by reading “Rock of Ages” and zeroing in on the “double cure.” 🙂 I had to think of your post. We had a beautiful evening sharing testimonies of how God has broken the power of sin in our lives and also how we have been set free from guilt and condemnation. Especially in light of your post, you should have been there. 🙂
How interesting! Thanks for sharing. I’m suddenly in love with that beautiful song that I thought I knew through and through.