Based on Phillipians 3:1-14

I have been noticing lately, especially when listening to the morning reflection hymns, that well-known tunes are securely in my memory, whereas the words after the first line usually escape me. This is really annoying when it’s a hymn I love. I just end up humming along, perhaps for the rest of the day as the tune sticks in my mind.

But when I read today’s Gospel reading, it happened the other way around. There was a phrase which struck me: “Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ.” Gains as loss – it rang a bell, as it probably does for you too.  A bit of brain activity and I finally recalled the hymn in which these words are so memorable: When I survey the wondrous cross, by Isaac Watts.

Do you remember? When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. Watt’s words capture Paul’s meaning so clearly – the stark contrast between what he had achieved in his life suddenly shattered and worthless in comparison with Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

Isaac Watts was a tremendous writer, finding the power of great contrasts in his hymns: the love against the sorrow, the crown against the thorns, the gain against the loss. He knew the shock of the image, the power of words set to music.

But let’s not imagine that this power is simply artifice. Paul’s plea to the Philippians is based on recognising his pursuit of credit with God in his early life. As a good Pharisee he relentlessly did what he thought was good and right to show what a great believer he was. He followed all the rules. In his own life he wanted to be the best God-fearing person he could be. But when he finally began to know Jesus, he realised that these strenuous efforts to build up credit in his earthly account, counted for nothing. That only God was good and all we try to do falls away when we recognise God’s glory. It is through God’s grace alone that we gain, although we keep trying to do what we believe is right and righteous. The power of love expressed in Watt’s hymn is transformed when we can remember both the words and the music. Just as we will be transformed when Jesus is finally revealed to us: His completeness healing and transforming our human frailty.