Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.
These famous lyrics, written by John Newton in 1779, have been sung countless times by millions upon millions of people around the world. John Newton, having seen his sinfulness, found forgiveness, redemption and a deep relationship with God through the free gift of grace that is spoken of in the Bible.
So, how does this song connect with Easter? Easter, while celebrating the coming of spring, also celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus which, on a side note, is believed to have taken place in early April. Jesus
’ death and resurrection were the full demonstration of God’s Amazing Grace upon humanity. Throughout time, people have been trying to have a relationship with God through their efforts hoping that the good they do outweighs the bad. They have been trying to stand before God on their own merit.
However, God requires perfection, and since this is impossible, this is where Amazing Grace comes in. Through Jesus we can have that relationship with God that John Newton wrote about because our relationship with God is no longer based on our own merit but on the prefect merit of Jesus. Jesus did what we could not do so that we could have what every heart longs for, a right relationship with God. That is why Amazing Grace and Easter are forever connected. We cannot have one without the other.
Therefore, I sing with a thankful heart the words of John Newton’s timeless song. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see. Erik