Sermon Central
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Songs We Sing: "must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone" Series
Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 5, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: The song we will focus on is the worst hymn that has ever been produced (IN MY OPINION). Why is this hymn the worst? This hymn is the worst because it teaches incorrect theology about Jesus Christ.
A misunderstanding of the cross can lead to a distorted view of salvation. If Jesus' death is not correctly understood as an atonement for sin, we may either minimize its importance or believe that salvation depends on human effort rather than God's grace. Jesus’ death is atonement of our sin for us. This is significant.
Not understanding the death of Jesus can lead us to a misinterpretation of God's character. The cross is one of the most unjust and cruel ways to die, but a proper understanding also includes love, mercy, and justice all working together through Christ’s sacrifice. Jesus’ death was cruel and terrible, but showed love for us. This is significant.
If Jesus' death is seen only as an unfortunate or accidental event rather than God’s divine on-purpose plan for salvation, it may lead to doubts about the resurrection’s significance and its role in Christian faith. Jesus’ death was the plan for humanity before He ever made us. This is significant.
If we do not grasp the meaning of Jesus' death as bringing reconciliation with God, we may struggle with fear, guilt, or uncertainty about our relationship with Him because we are very sinful and He is very holy. There is a lack of assurance about salvation and hope when we misunderstand the cross. Assurance of salvation is significant.
TRANSITION
As we think through this hymn, we’ve looked at the central belief in Christianity and now we will look at how the hymn communicates that.
THE CROSS OF CHRIST
Why do I mention these ideas? I mention these possible misinterpretations because the hymn “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” by Thomas Shepherd has us singing ideas that are not correct. The very first verse is the complete problem.
SONG LYRICS
“Must Jesus bear the cross alone And all the world go free? No, there's a cross for every one,
And there's a cross for me.”
The first verse of the hymn asks a question and then gives an answer. The question that is asked is about Jesus and His death on the cross. The question asks if Jesus “must bear the cross alone and all the world go free.” There are two parts to this question:
First, the hymn is asking if everything that Jesus did is completely on Him. Is the cross, death, and sacrifice all on the shoulders of Jesus? The hymn is having us think through that everything that is described in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19 is solely the responsibility of Jesus of Nazareth.
Second, the hymn is asking of everything that Jesus did on the cross results in freedom for the world. These are solid questions. It is good for us to reflect consistently and purposefully about what Jesus endured and subjected Himself to on the cross. You and I as believers in Jesus must meditate regularly about the death of Jesus. The questions are good!
The problem comes with the answer in the hymn.
The problem comes with the answer which is wrong.
The problem comes with the answer which leads us to misinterpret the cross.
The answer that the hymn offers is completely wrong. The first verse answers the two-part question with an answer which denies the crucifixion of Jesus as we should understand it. The hymn states that: No, you and I bear responsibility with Jesus. You and I die with Jesus. Not only us, but every single person in the world also dies just like Jesus providing salvation. This is simply wrong. The hymn says: No!
