I gaze upon the Cross and see this God, this Man who died for me. Who humbled himself for the whole world to see. I’m amazed! Lord, I’m amazed!

See the crown on his head and the wound in his side.

See the nails in his feet and his hands - stretched out wide. He gave all that he had just to wash all my sins away. Lord, I’m amazed!

How can he love someone like me? He knows my thoughts and all my deeds, and yet he still loves me, in spite of these things. I’m amazed! Lord, I’m amazed!

What greater love is this

Than to lay down one’s life for a friend

What greater gift is this

Than a life that never ends

I gaze upon the Cross and see this God, this Man who died for me. Who humbled himself for the whole world to see. I’m amazed! Lord, I’m amazed!

The genesis of this song is a funeral I attended for a friend’s father in Louisville. I drove to Louisville early in the morning and went into the church when I arrived for some quiet time of prayer. I knelt in the pew and was struck by the awesome sight of the cross over the altar.

Unlike the abstract cross we have in our parish church, this cross was very life-like. The wood of the cross appeared rugged and worn. Jesus’ body was human looking. You could see the strain and stress on his body. You could see the wounds in his hands, feet and sides. You could see the crown of thorns jammed into his innocent head. I was moved by that image.

I had written various versions of this song over the years, but finalized it as my Easter offering in Spring 2009.

If you take a few moments to reflect on what Jesus endured for you and for me, it is pretty amazing!