Mahatma Ghandi asked some missionaries who visited him during one of his numerous fasts to sing a hymn for him. "Which hymn?" they asked. "The one that expresses all that is deepest in your faith," he replied. They thought for a moment and then with full hearts sang these words written by Isaac Watts:

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Yes, there is something wondrous about the cross that stirs our hearts. When we think back to Calvary, our souls are saddened and yet thrilled with the wonder of it all. With heartfelt gratitude we exclaim, "Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul!"

When George Briggs was governor of Massachusetts, three of his friends visited the Holy Land. While they were there, they climbed Golgotha's slope and cut from the hilltop a stick to be used as a cane. On their return they presented it to the governor, saying, "We want you to know that when we stood on Calvary, we thought of you." He accepted the gift with gratitude and then remarked, "I appreciate your consideration of me, gentlemen, but I am still more thankful for Another who thought of me there!"

Yes, Jesus thought of you and me when hanging there in agony. A life of gratitude would be our appropriate response. With Isaac Watts we can say, "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!"  — Henry G. Bosch