A reminder that during our Lenten journey, Saturdays will be somewhat different as we sit with an instrumental version of a beloved hymn and take time to ponder the meaning of its lyrics. Only a brief word about the history of the hymn will serve as an introduction, and then after our Scripture reading you are invited to read the lyrics slowly and prayerfully while you listen to the instrumental rendition.
Words of Reflection
Our instrumental hymn for today is one of the best-known songs in Christian hymnody. It was written in 1834 by Charlotte Elliott, a Victorian poet and hymn writer from Clapham, England. In 1821, when she was just 32 years old, Charlotte was struck with a serious illness that left her weak in both body and spirit. She suffered from its effects for the rest of her life, often leaving her struggling with feelings of loneliness and uselessness.
During her illness a well-known preacher from Switzerland, César Malan, came to visit her. He asked Charlotte if she had peace with God, and in her depressed state she refused to answer him. When given a chance to visit with him again, she apologized and said, “You spoke of coming to Jesus, but how? I am not fit to come.” She told him she needed to “clean up her life” before she could come to God in faith. Malan’s response was simple: “Come just as you are,” and Charlotte did just that.
Even as her faith grew, Charlotte’s struggles with feeling useless would occasionally resurface. In 1834, while her family attended a nearby church bazaar to raise funds for a school, Charlotte found herself confined due to her health. Reflecting on her inability to help such a worthwhile cause, and tempted again to feel of no use, she found herself recalling César Malan’s invitation: “Come just as you are.” Taking pen to paper, she then proceeded to write what would become one of the best-loved hymns of all time.
Over the past few days we have been reflecting on the Lenten theme of repentance. One of the beautiful things about this invitation from God is that he does not expect us to “clean ourselves up” before coming to him. In our repentance we are met by God exactly as we are, with all of our baggage, mess, and need. He does not scold or shame, but invites us into his forgiving grace where we are loved and transformed.
Often with familiar hymns we can lose sight of their beauty and profundity. May God open our hearts and minds to hear his love and call for us anew in these well-known words.
Scripture for Meditation:
After this Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax-collection station, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up, left everything, and followed him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others reclining at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
—Luke 5:27-32 (NRSV)
Song: Just as I Am
Time of Contemplation:
Read through the lyrics of this hymn slowly and prayerfully. Read them more than once, and pay attention to the movement of your soul as you pray. What words or phrases grab your attention? Why? As you finish, sit in prayerful silence before God and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you something of your need and God’s provision that emerges from these words.
Just as I am without one plea
But that Thy Blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee
O Lamb of God I come I comeJust as I am Thou wilt receive
Wilt welcome pardon cleanse relieve
Because Thy Promise I believe
O Lamb of God I come I comeJust as I am Thy Love unknown
Hath broken ev’ry barrier down
Now to be Thine yes Thine alone
O Lamb of God I come I comeJust as I am though tossed about
With many a conflict many a doubt
Fightings and fears within without
O Lamb of God I come I come
Charlotte Elliott | William Batchelder Bradbury
Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain