He Made a Wretch His Treasure

A few Sundays ago we were visiting Josh and Erica’s church in Southlake Texas.  We sang one of my favorite hymns, How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.  I don’t know of another song that carries so many powerful lines.  Lines that describe the depth of the Father’s love, the pain the Savior endured on our behalf, our sin that held Him there, our mocking voice, the complete assurance that it is finished, our boast in Christ alone, and the firm knowledge that His wounds have paid my ransom.

But one line stood out to me in a particular way on that Sunday morning and I began to dwell on the idea “that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.”  A wretch… His treasure.  And the timing of this is amazing.  In one swift moment, Christ’s death in our place on a cross paid the price and set in motion the opportunity for us to go from wretch to treasure.  Then when we, by faith, embraced His sacrifice on our behalf, it only took another instantaneous moment for our transformation from wretch to treasure to be complete.

The beauty of the gospel message is that this change in status is immediate.  We may not feel it, but in an instant we went from enemy of God to friend – no even more – to child of God.  There is no probationary period…there is no proving our self worthy by our works…no waiting period.  In an instant we went from wretch to treasure.

Do you know you are God’s treasure?  Wretch is in your past.  If you have embraced His gospel message, treasure is in your now and in your future forever.  It is not a question of pride (our boast is in Christ alone).  It is not a thing of thinking too highly of ourselves.  It is only embracing and letting soak in what God Himself is calling you.  He calls you His child.  He calls you His saint.  He calls you His holy and beloved.  You are indeed God’s treasure.

Here is the music for your edification.

Here are the song’s lyrics for your meditation.

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.