This is the second instalment of an on-going series on some of the hymns I love. Rock of Ages, the first hymn I talked about, is “an oldie but a goodie”. The next hymn is “a newbie but a goodie”, that phrase is going to catch on; just you wait.
You Are What You Behold
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery is a modern hymn written by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, and Michael Bleeker in 2013. It is part of a wave of “modern hymns” written over the past decade or so, in the style of the traditional hymns many people in English speaking churches grew up singing. Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery proves a hymn is not a hymn just because it is old, but because of the truth it communicates.
Matt Papa reflects on the first time he saw the draft lyrics to this song in a blog post. He was in the middle of writing his book Look and Live, which is an examination of the Christian life through the word “Behold”. This song was the perfect anthem for the theological idea that he was trying to communicate in the book. Papa explains that 2 Corinthians 3:18 is a foundational verse for both his book and the song,
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV
Scripture, this song, and Matt Papa’s book, all agree that to “behold” something is to become something. The saying is, “you are what you eat.” But God says, “you are what you behold.” When we look to Christ we are transformed. So, let’s look at the lyrics of the song and see what Christ can make of us through beholding his glory.
The Lyrics
VERSE 1
Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ, who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us
As expected, the title phrase is a theme throughout the song. It is an invitation to set our eyes on Jesus. Jesus is “wondrous” and we will never fully comprehend the impact and power of his work. This mystery is the story of the Gospel. In Ephesians 3, the Apostle Paul says that the story of the good news of salvation, is a surprise and mystery even to the angels in Heaven. It is a profound thing to think about who Jesus is and what he has done.
The song starts at Jesus incarnation, the Son of God becoming a human being. This is usually something we sing about at Christmas, but the reality of Jesus taking on our frame is a comfort in all seasons. The words remind us that Jesus stepped down to be with us and to be like us. He came from light to darkness, satisfaction to need, and power to weakness, in order to redeem us, who could not redeem ourselves. How God became a man is a mystery, but one we affirm fully.
VERSE 2
Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of Man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; in Him we stand
God not only becomes a man, but he becomes the perfect man. Where our first father, Adam, failed to uphold God’s law, Jesus succeeds fully. He is a “new and better Adam”, a new start for the entire world. His perfection in keeping the law is our only hope of righteousness. How can a man be blameless? Only the mystery of the God Man can make that reality visible for all to see. We have no other foundation than that.
VERSE 3
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold
This modern hymn now brings us to the cross, the culmination of Jesus’ work on our behalf. The cross is the door, through which we are invited to worship God. Jesus, the only one who never deserved to die, willingly gives up his life for the very ones who nailed him to that cross. There is so much truth in this verse: Jesus died in our place, for our sins, according to the plan of the Father, to show us His love and grace. Incredible. Even the wicked tragedy of the cross is not enough to stop the plan of our great God.
VERSE 4
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes
The refrain of our worship can never stop at, “Jesus died for our sins”. It must continue to, “Jesus rose again in victory.” Jesus’ resurrection is a “foretaste” of what is to come. The Bible uses the term “first-fruit” (1 Corinthians 15:20), an early harvest as we look to our own resurrection and ultimate salvation in glory. One day, all of this will be made right and good again for those who are in Jesus. The Christian life is looking back to what was accomplished for us by Jesus, and looking forward to what is coming to us because of Jesus.
Conclusion
I often find myself humming this song to myself; the tune has a familiar quality that helps the truth of the song stay with me. I hope this song blesses you as we grow in the worship and thankfulness of Jesus’ work on our behalf.
