Hymn Highlight: And Can it Be, That I Should Gain?
Written in 1738 by the venerable Charles Wesley, And Can it Be, has one of the most recognizable and unique melodies in hymnary. Wesley (1707-1788) was the younger brother of the great preacher John Wesley. Together John and Charles were part of the now-famous Oxford Methodists. Much of Charles’s life was devoted to traveling alongside John, both in England and the American colonies. While John preached and taught, Charles wrote hymns. In fact, Charles Wesley is credited with penning more than 6,500 hymns over the course of his life. 6,500! Among his most popular hymns are Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, and Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus. However, this piece will highlight another popular hymn from Wesley: And Can it Be, That I Should Gain?
And Can it Be is a story song; more specifically, it’s a conversion story song. The hymn ought to be sung straight through, leaving out none of the original five verses, as each has significance in the convert’s experience.
The first verse asks three questions: And can it be, that I should gain an interest in my Savior’s blood? Died he for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? These questions arise from a posture of questioning why Jesus would ever die for sinners. All Christians find themselves pondering such perplexing truths from time to time. Why would Christ Jesus shed his blood for such vile sinners? The answer: He’s compelled by his amazing love! Amazing love, how can it be, That Thou, my God, should die for me? The atonement secured on the cross of Christ is a product of his amazing love. He died for us. This is amazing love.
The second verse then explores the mystery of the cross. We cannot fathom a love so grand, so amazing, that it would compel the Immortal God to die! Who can explore His strange design? Even the angels cannot comprehend this great love. ’Tis mercy all that we can be afforded the opportunity to gaze upon this great love.
The third verse speaks on the Incarnation of Christ. Compelled by mercy and love, Jesus left His Father’s throne above, and emptied himself of all but love. Here Wesley is referencing that great passage in Philippians 2:1-11. Why would the eternal Son of God empty himself in such a way? To bleed for Adam’s race, so that sinners might be found in his immense and free mercy.
The penultimate verse tells the story of conversion. Wesley equates the unconverted life to lying imprisoned in a dungeon, fast bound in sin and nature’s night. Before salvation, we are hopeless, bound in Adam’s and our own sin. However, while we were sinners, God sends His Spirit to diffuse a quick’ning ray. Wesley is writing about the doctrine of regeneration, that the Holy Spirit awakens our dead hearts, breathing life into our dead lungs, that we would then repent and believe in Christ as Savior. At that moment, the chains fell off, our hearts are free! The last line shows the gloriousness of the new convert’s first steps in obedience: I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
The final verse of this majestic hymn plumbs the depths of the new nature we have in Christ. Before conversion, we were condemned to a just sentence of experiencing the wrath of God. However, after conversion, no condemnation now I dread. Why? Because Jesus, and all in him is mine! This verse is a victory chant for the new believer. We have Jesus in us. We are his and he is ours. We are alive in Him, and we are clothed in righteousness divine. And based on that new clothing in righteousness, we can boldly approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Believer, all this and more is yours in Christ Jesus. This hymn displays to us the infinite mercies and blessings that can be found in finding Jesus as your Savior. Savor the Savior today.