LEST I (WE) FORGET – LEAD ME TO CALVARY!
The Lord’s Table
“Jennie Hussey was born in Henniker, New Hampshire on February 8, 1874, and lived most of her life in a farmhouse where four generations of her Quaker Ancestors lived. Much of her time was devoted to her helpless, invalid sister, but Jennie wasn’t known to complain or grumble. She displayed a cheerful personality. Whenever weary, she would open her Bible and turn to the story of Calvary, finding there fresh strength.
“Jennie eventually became disabled with deformative arthritis, but her attitude remained positive. ‘Please, Lord,’ she said, ‘make me willing to bear my cross daily without complaining because you bore yours for me.’ It was out of that experience that she wrote ‘Lead Me to Calvary,’ with its last verse:
May I be willing, Lord, to bear daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share – Thou hast borne all me.”
Then Sings My Soul Book 2, Robert J. Morgan, (Nashville TN, W Publishing, imprint of Thomas Nelson, 2004) p 281
The First Verse and Chorus are:
King of my life, I crown Thee now
Thine shall the glory be
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow
Lead me to Calvary
Lest I forget Gethsemane
Lest I forget Thine agony
Lest I forget Thy love for me
Lead me to Calvary
As we approach the Lord’s Table this morning, I want us to go to Calvary, and meditate lest we forget.
- The assumption made in this hymn is that the singer has made the Lord Jesus “King” in his or her life. This is the prayer of a person who has made a commitment to Jesus, God the Son, as their Savior and Lord. He is in charge. The white surrender flag has gone up, so to speak!
- After making this commitment, the request is I don’t want to forget the commitment I have made! So “Lead Me to Calvary” for reflection so I don’t forget!
LEST I FORGET GETHSEMANE – Matthew 26:36-46
- As God Jesus knew what was coming! As the perfect man He had to suffer, bearing the sins of the world. As man He had to submit. Satan tempted Him not to!
- 40 – The Lord singled out Peter, for his bold, arrogant statement about his loyalty in Vss. 32-35. Jesus told Peter to “do what He was doing, “Watch and Pray”.
- 46 – The betrayer, Judas, arrived! Jesus was ready!
- We must not forget Jesus’ total surrender.
LEST I FORGET THINE AGONY – Mark 15:27-34
- Jesus had already suffered an amazing amount of humiliation and pain at the hands of man. Already he would have been in agony. The worst was yet to come!
- It wasn’t the nails, although they hurt greatly. Vs. 27
- It wasn’t the humiliation of being branded as a criminal and the rejection and taunts from the people He came to save. It wasn’t the struggle to breathe.
- The greatest agony was caused by God the Father becoming God the judge, as He poured all wrath and punishment on His Son for the sins of the whole world.
- We must not forget the total agony our Savior suffered for us.
LEST I FORGET THY LOVE FOR ME – Luke 23:32-34, Luke 23:39-47, John 19:25-27, John 3:16
- Even on the Cross, Jesus did not forget His personal love commitment to individuals.
- Luke 23:32-34 – When Jesus cried “Forgive Them”, He was not guaranteeing salvation for all, but He was practicing what He preached.
- It appears He got an instant answer in the soldiers’ response. Luke 23:47, Mark 15:39
- Luke 23:39-43 – One of the thieves sought forgiveness from the Lord. In love Jesus forgave Him.
- John 19:25-27 – He also showed love towards His Mom.
- John 13:1 – Speaking of the disciples – “He loved them to the end.
- John 3:16 – The free gift from God the Father and God the Son should not be ignored or forgotten.
- We must not forget His love toward us.
LEAD ME TO CALVARY 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
- We go to Calvary to remember every time we participate in the Lord’s Table
- It is here we remember the body given or broken.
- It is here we remember the blood shed for our sins.
- It is here we proclaim our faith. 1Corinthians 11:26
- It is here we remember!
- It is here we examine our lives. 1 Corinthians 11:27-28
- If Jesus is you Savior, He is Lord.
- If Jesus is not your Savior, why Isn’t He?
- Out of gratitude do you recognize Him as King?
