Olney Hymns · Chapter
Looking at the Cross explained
The speaker recounts their former life of sin, which was halted by the sight of Christ crucified.
What happens
The speaker recounts their former life of sin, which was halted by the sight of Christ crucified. The look from the cross brings conviction of guilt and despair, followed by a second look of forgiveness and grace, leading to a paradoxical joy and grief as the speaker realizes they are pardoned by the very death they caused.
Themes in this chapter
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The second look from Christ offers free forgiveness and pardon, highlighting unmerited grace.
Human Sinfulness and Depravity
The speaker's guilt is vividly portrayed as they realize their sins caused Christ's death.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The crucified Savior who fixes his eyes on the speaker, first in judgment, then in forgiveness.
- The Narrator
The speaker who recounts their sinful past and their transformative encounter with the cross.
- Sin
Personified as the cause of Christ's death, whose guilt is exposed and pardoned.
Key passages
“In evil long I took delight, Unawed by shame or fear, Till a new object struck my sight, And stopp’d my wild career.”
I used to enjoy sin without any shame or fear, until I saw something that stopped me in my tracks.
The speaker describes their former life of sin and the sudden interruption by the sight of the cross.
“I saw one hanging on a tree, In agonies and blood, Who fix’d his languid eyes on me As near his cross I stood.”
I saw Jesus dying on the cross, covered in blood, and he looked at me with weary eyes as I stood nearby.
The speaker's first encounter with the crucified Christ.
“It seem’d to charge me with his death Though not a word He spoke.”
His look seemed to accuse me of causing his death, even though he said nothing.
The silent accusation of the cross.
“A second look He gave, which said, “I freely all forgive; This blood is for thy ransom paid, I die, that thou may’st live.””
He looked at me again, and in that look I understood that he freely forgave me, his blood was the payment for my freedom, and he died so I could live.
The second look brings the message of forgiveness and substitutionary atonement.