7th March 2022
Before the Throne of God Above
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
Hebrews 4:14 (NIV)
I had heard the beautiful hymn Before the Throne of God Above before, though not that often, but on this occasion the impact was profound. The words cut to my heart; my emotions stirred; tears welled up in my eyes. Why?
Maybe it was because twelve days earlier I kissed my mother and said ‘goodbye’. She died a few days later, though I wasn’t there at the time. Mourning and loss come in different forms but it was the beauty of the music and the words that struck me on this occasion. This hymn is about the security believers find in Christ. ‘Who wrote this lovely hymn?’ I wondered, ‘Where did it come from?’
I did some research and discovered that many more had felt its powerful impact. The lyrics were written in Ireland by a woman named Charitie Lees Bancroft (1841-1923), and originally introduced in 1863. I had no idea it was such an old hymn.
John Cashion wrote that the text to this song powerfully reminds us that Jesus is our advocate before the Father. In fact, Bancroft titled her hymn Advocate. Charitie was the child of an Irish minister, and was born in county Dublin in 1841. The text of the hymn has a multitude of scriptural allusions and images that assure us of the ministry of our ‘great High Priest whose name is love’. Here is the first verse with some scripture references:
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
A great High Priest whose Name is Love (Hebrews 4:14)
Who ever lives and pleads for me. (Hebrews 7:25)
My name is graven on His hands, (Isaiah 49:16)
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart. (Romans 8:34)
The hymn, that is commonly heard today, is a rendition by Vikki Cook, and various versions are widely available on YouTube. So if you get a chance, remind yourself via the medium of song that we have ‘A great High Priest whose name is Love’.
Prayer
Thank you gracious and glorious Father for the love you have for us. Please guide us and help us to rest in that awesome assurance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study by Kevin Harris
About the writer:
Kevin Harris attends the Watford congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Gracecom Watford
St. Peter’s Church
61 Westfield Avenue
Watford
Herts.
WD24 7HF
Meeting time:
Saturday 11am
Local congregational contact:
George Henderson
Email: watford@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church