Arise, My Soul, Arise

Are you ready to uncover the deep, transformative power of hymns? Join us on a captivating journey into the heart of Charles Wesley's masterpiece, 'Arise My Soul Arise.' This isn't just a hymn; it's a profound reflection on Christian assurance, a call to cast away guilt and fear, and a moving tribute to Christ's sacrificial work on our behalf. From Wesley's background and beliefs to the potent symbolism nestled in each stanza, we'll help you appreciate this hymn in a whole new light. You'll not only observe how Wesley's hymn beckons us to trust in Christ's finished work but also how it eloquently reminds us of the interceding power of Christ's blood.

But this is more than a history lesson or a music analysis. It's a chance to deepen your understanding and appreciation of redemption through Jesus Christ. We'll take a closer look at how 'Arise My Soul Arise' beautifully encapsulates scriptural themes, like Christ's intercession and the assurance of redemption. Drawing from the hymn, we will explore how the death and resurrection of Christ give us the confidence to approach God's throne with confidence. By the time we're done, you'll see that 'Arise My Soul Arise' is not just a hymn, but a profound reminder of the hope we have in Christ and His finished work. Get ready for a thought-provoking, faith-filled journey into one of Wesley’s most treasured hymns.

SHOW NOTES:

“Arise, My Soul, Arise” from Indelible Grace: The Hymn Sing, Live in Nashville (feat. Matthew Smith)

Indelible Grace Hymnbook

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:01

Do you know there's that place where God comes to Cain after he's killed Abel? He says to Cain, the blood of your brother Abel cries out to me from the ground for vengeance, but there's a better Abel, Jesus Christ, whose blood cries out from the ground for grace. Jesus Christ is the ultimate savior. Advocate, Timothy Keller. This is The Brave Forever.

UNKNOWN 0:48

The Brave Forever

SPEAKER_02 0:58

Hello, and welcome to The Bright Forever, where each week we rediscover the power and richness found in some of the greatest hymns of the faith. My name is Andy Peavyhouse, and I am your host and guide on this journey through hymnody. It is so good to be back with you this week. Last time we discussed the timeless Reformation hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, by Martin Luther. We learned a little about his life, his calling, and how he was known not just for his temper, but also for his courage and fearlessness when it came to standing up for God's word. Today, we are going to jump ahead a couple of centuries and talk about another hymn writer whose music shaped not just generations, but hymnody as one of the most prolific hymn writers of all time. Our hymn for today is Arise, My Soul Arise. And our author and composer is someone we've actually talked about a little bit before, Charles Wesley. This hymn beautifully captures the essence of Christian assurance, of redemption, and reconciliation. Join us as we dive into the history and theology behind this remarkable hymn. To understand Arise My Soul Arise, it's crucial to know the man behind the words. Charles Wesley, one of the most prolific hymn writers in history, was a significant figure in the early Methodist movement. He penned thousands of hymns, many of which continue to be sung today. But where did Arise My Soul Arise first come into existence? Charles Wesley was the youngest son of Sam and Susanna Wesley and received a solid education at Westminster School and Oxford's Christ Church. After a missionary journey to Georgia in 1735, he returned to England and spent many years preaching alongside his brother John. He married Sarah Gwynne in 1749, and together they had five children. While the exact circumstances leading Wesley to write A Rise My Soul Arise are not explicitly documented, the hymn's theme and the context of Wesley's life might provide insight into his perspective aims. Like I said before, Charles Wesley was a key figure in the early Methodist movement and one of the most prolific hymn writers in history. He knew that music teaches. We have an emotional connection to songs that can sometimes even transcend the spoken word. One thing we find in many of his hymns is that he would often compose hymns to convey theological truths and and offer spiritual encouragement to those he was leading. Arise My Soul Arise was first published in 1742 under the title Behold the Man in a collection called Hymns and Sacred Poems. The hymn is an expression of the assurance found in Christ's sacrifice, his forgiveness of our sins, and his continual intercession with the Father Given Wesley's views on the importance of one's virtue and assurance of salvation, it's reasonable to assume that he wrote this hymn to address the spiritual needs of believers in the congregations that he led. The hymn calls us to rise above our feelings of guilt and fear over our sin, and instead be reminded of Christ's sacrifice and his continued intercession on our behalf before the Father. Considering Wesley's background, including his missionary work in Georgia, his fervent preaching alongside his brother John, and the importance he placed on personal holiness— It's likely that Arise My Soul Arise was crafted to resonate with the experiences and struggles that he saw others having, and maybe even himself, in seeking assurance of their salvation. In essence, many of his hymns, including Arise My Soul Arise, were often a response to the theological and spiritual needs he saw around him. providing a means for believers to express their faith, to find comfort, and to deepen their understanding of God's grace. Now that we have some context for our hymn, let's take a look at each of the five stanzas and see what we can learn about the truths Wesley is trying to impart. Arise, my soul, arise. Shake off the guilty fears, the bleeding sacrifice tears. This first stanza encourages the believer to cast aside feelings of guilt and fear. But how do we do this? The only way is to trust in Christ's finished work on the cross. as the bleeding sacrifice who stands before God on our behalf. The mention of one's name being written on Christ's hands reflects the sense of assurance that we have security and hope in what he has done. Hebrews 4, 14-16 tells us, This verse emphasizes our access to the throne of grace through Christ and the hope and security we find in what he has done for us. In the second stanza says, we see a little bit deeper into this idea of Christ as intercessor. He ever lives above for me to intercede his all redeeming love, his precious blood to plead his blood atoned for every race, his blood atoned for every race and sprinkles. Now the throne of grace, this stanza continues in this idea. of Christ as eternal intercessor, his blood pleading on our behalf for the father. It reminds me of the quote at the beginning that Jesus is the better Abel. Abel's blood called out to God for vengeance, but Christ being the better Abel, his blood doesn't call out for God's vengeance. It calls for God's grace. and His blood pleading on our behalf. His redeeming love and precious blood are powerful enough to not only atone for my sins, but that of every race. The idea of His blood sprinkling the throne of grace reminds me of Hebrews 9, verses 11 and 12. You see, in the Old Testament, the high priest played a central role in the sacrificial system. entering the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the sins of the people. He would offer the blood of animals for the atonement of sins. But check out these verses in Hebrews 9, beginning in verse 11. But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then... Through the greater and more perfect tent, not made with hands, that is not of this creation. He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves, but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Christ As the perfect high priest doesn't offer the blood of animals, he offered his own blood, which brings about everlasting redemption. It's not a mere covering of sins, but a complete and eternal removal of sin from those who trust in him. Jesus is the high priest of the good things that have come, demonstrating his superiority and fulfillment of the old covenant in the new covenant established through him. In stanza three, Wesley tells us about Christ's wounds. Five bleeding wounds he bears, received on Calvary. They pour effectual prayers, they strongly plead for me. Forgive him, oh forgive, they cry. Forgive him, O forgive, they cry, nor let that ransom sinner die. This third stanza points to Christ's five bleeding wounds, his hands, his feet, and his side that he sustained at Calvary, demonstrating once again Christ's eternal sacrifice for our sins. We also see another familiar word, as again his wounds were are praying and pleading for our forgiveness. 1 John 2, 1-2 tells us, My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sin. And not only for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And Romans 5, 8 reminds us that God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. And then Wesley moves on to verse four. And in the fourth stanza, we find that the father hears those prayers. The father hears him pray, his dear anointed one. He cannot turn away the presence of his son. His spirit answers to the blood. The spirit answers to the blood and tells me I am born of God. In this fourth stanza, the father hears the prayers and pleading, of His Son's blood for us. God the Father cannot turn away from the presence of His beloved Son and His Spirit responds to Christ's blood being shed for us. And in doing so, reminds us of that same surety we received from within that first stanza. We are saved. Romans 8, 16-17 proclaims the same. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. And then we get to the fifth stanza. My God is reconciled. His pardoning voice I hear. He owns me for his child. I can no longer fear. With confidence I now draw nigh. And Father Abba, Father, cry. Finally, this last stanza. After reminding us that of everything Christ has done for us, reminding us that Christ's blood intercedes for us, reminding us that we have hope and surety that we are God's children. It reminds us that the reconciliation to God that has been won through Christ gives us the confidence and the ability approach God's throne without fear and calling out to God as Abba Father echoes Galatians chapter four, where beginning in verse four, it says, but when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those who are under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So you are no longer a slave, but a son. And if a son, then an heir through God. This song is so rich with scripture. Arise, My Soul, Arise beautifully illustrates the themes of Christ's sacrifice, His intercession, and our assurance of redemption. Being deeply entrenched in Scripture, this hymn offers a profound understanding of Christ's finished work and its effect on every believer. It conveys a message of hope, assurance, and gratitude for what Christ has done for us, inviting us to draw near to God with confidence. Even as I was preparing these words, I was reminded of Romans 5, beginning in verse 1. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God. through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him, we have also obtained access by faith into the grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, And endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame. Because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

SPEAKER_00 18:51

Take off your guilty fears A bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears We'll be right back. His pardoning voice I hear He owns me for His child

SPEAKER_02 23:02

That was Arise My Soul Arise from Indelible Grace, the hymn sing live from Nashville featuring Matthew Smith. That was obviously a very different version than most of you who may be familiar with this song would have ever heard before. But it's one of my favorite versions of this song, particularly because of the way they take the opening line and use it as a repeated chorus. I love that it emphasizes the need to remind our soul to rise up, to shake off our guilt, and to sing for joy, that joy that we have in Christ. It reminds me of a book that I read, it's been a while now, but called a gospel, I think it's called a gospel primer. And it's all about preaching the gospel to ourselves. And I love Psalms because Psalms... over and over again, David and the other psalmists keep reminding themselves by saying, bless the Lord, oh my soul. Just like reminding my soul to praise God, reminding myself, preaching to myself over and over again that God has done something amazing in me through his son, Jesus Christ. And this song is a perfect example of why I love what Indelible Grace Music does. If you have a chance to use their music, please do. You can find all of their music at igracemusic.com. Thank you for joining us this week on The Bright Forever. Remember to follow us, review us, and of course, subscribe. And check out all of the new features on our website at www.thebrightforever.com. And we always want to hear from you. There are multiple ways you can do just that. You can always email us at podcast at the bright forever.com. You can also click the contact us tab at the top of our website and send a message through our contact form. Or you can go to our website and click the radio microphone in the bottom right corner and record a message of up to two minutes and let us know what you think. And don't miss an opportunity to show off the fact that you listen to The Bright Forever. Visit our new merchandise store on our website by simply clicking the store tab in the menu. Lastly, your financial support means the world to us. As we continue to reach out to more and more people with the power and the message of these amazing hymns. If you would like to help us reach a greater audience with these hymns, take a moment and go to our website, thebrightforever.com and click on the support the podcast tab in the menu. You can subscribe by giving three, five, eight, or$10 per month to help support what we are doing here at The Bright Forever. And if you are not ready to commit to every month, you can always click the yellow coffee icon at the bottom left of our page and give a$5 or greater one-time gift through our buymeacoffee.com supporters account. Thank you again for listening, and I hope you all have a great week. Before we go, let me close us in prayer. Father, I thank you so much for for your son, Jesus Christ, for his finished work, for living the life that we could not live and dying the death that we deserved. But in doing so, defeating death itself, defeating sin, breaking the power of sin, So that God, we really truly can shake off our guilt and our fear and we can approach the throne of God with confidence. We can come before you boldly because of what your son has done for us. God, we thank you. We thank you for the blood of Christ that intercedes for that pleads on our behalf. God, we love you. We praise you. Thank you for hymns like this that remind us that our soul should stand up and shout for joy. We pray all this in your awesome son's name, Jesus Christ. Amen. God bless you all. Have a great week, and I will see you back here next week. We're out.