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When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
A Sermon based on the
hymn by Isaac Watts
Introduction
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” is one of the most revered and
spiritually profound hymns in Christian history. Written by Isaac Watts,
known as the “Father of English Hymnody,” this song invites each
worshiper to meditate deeply on the crucifixion of Jesus. Watts moves
beyond mere observation of Christ’s suffering—he invites us to “survey”
it, to examine it thoughtfully, personally, and worshipfully. Galatians
6:14 captures the heart of this hymn: “God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In this hymn, we are
not spectators—we are participants. The cross reveals the depth of our
sin, the height of God’s love, and the cost of our redemption. Through
poetic beauty and scriptural truth, this hymn teaches us humility,
gratitude, and surrender. The more we “survey” the cross, the more we
are transformed by its message. It leaves no room for pride, no excuse
for self-centered living, and no higher motive than the love of Christ
poured out for us.
Let us now walk
through this sacred hymn, stanza by stanza, and allow its truths to
reshape our hearts and lives in view of Calvary.
Stanza 1
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.
This opening stanza
urges the believer to look carefully—survey, not glance—at the cross.
Jesus, the “Prince of Glory,” died in shame, and yet in His death we see
glory. Paul wrote in Philippians 3:7, “What things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ.” The cross leaves no room for pride. It
humbles the proud and exalts the lowly.
Stanza 2
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
Here, Watts echoes
Galatians 6:14. We must not glory in worldly achievements or pleasures
but only in the cross. The “vain things” of life lose their charm when
we stand beneath the shadow of Christ’s sacrifice. This stanza calls us
to surrender—to sacrifice all idols at the feet of Jesus.
Stanza 3
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
This stanza invites
us to see the physical and emotional torment of Jesus. John 19:34 tells
us that blood and water flowed from His side—symbolizing His suffering
and sacrificial love. The imagery of thorns as a crown reminds us that
what man used to mock, God used to glorify. The King wore thorns, and
through them, He conquered.
Stanza 4
His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.
This lesser-known
stanza draws from Romans 6:6–7, where we learn that we are crucified
with Christ and freed from sin. When we are united with Jesus in His
death, the world loses its pull. We become citizens of another
kingdom—separated from worldly pursuits and devoted to eternal purposes.
Stanza 5
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
The final stanza
brings the hymn to a climax. If we owned all creation, it would still be
an unworthy gift in light of Christ’s love. The only fitting response is
total surrender—our soul, our life, our all. Romans 12:1 says to present
our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. This is our
“reasonable service.”
When I Survey
the Wondrous Cross Sermon Outline:
Introduction
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Author: Isaac
Watts
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Theme: The
transforming power of the cross of Christ
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Key Verse:
Galatians 6:14 – “God forbid that I should glory, save in the
cross…”
Stanza 1 – The
Cross Humiliates Pride
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Philippians
3:7–8 – All gain is counted as loss for Christ
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James 4:6 – God
resists the proud, gives grace to the humble
Stanza 2 – The
Cross Demands Sacrifice
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Galatians 6:14 –
Boast only in the cross
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1 John 2:15–17 –
Do not love the world
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Matthew 16:24 –
Deny yourself and follow Christ
Stanza 3 – The
Cross Displays Love and Sorrow
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John 19:34 –
Blood and water flowed
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Isaiah 53:3–5 –
A man of sorrows, wounded for our sins
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Luke 22:44 –
Sweat like blood, sorrow unto death
Stanza 4 – The
Cross Separates Us from the World
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Romans 6:6–7 –
Crucified with Christ
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Colossians 3:2–3
– Set your mind on things above
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Galatians 2:20 –
I am crucified with Christ
Stanza 5 – The
Cross Demands Total Surrender
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Romans 12:1 – A
living sacrifice
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2 Corinthians
5:14–15 – Live no longer for ourselves
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Matthew 22:37 –
Love the Lord with all your heart
Call to Action
The cross is not a distant story—it is a present call. Jesus gave His
all. What will you give? Pride must die, idols must fall, and lives must
be surrendered. If you truly survey the wondrous cross, you will not
walk away the same. Let your response be total devotion—soul, life, and
all.
Scripture
Reference List:
Galatians 6:14 – Glory only in the cross
Philippians 3:7–8 – Count all as loss for Christ
James 4:6 – God resists the proud
1 John 2:15–17 – Do not love the world
Matthew 16:24 – Deny self and follow Christ
John 19:34 – Blood and water from Jesus’ side
Isaiah 53:3–5 – The suffering servant
Luke 22:44 – Christ’s agony in the garden
Romans 6:6–7 – Freed from sin through crucifixion
Colossians 3:2–3 – Mind set on things above
Galatians 2:20 – Crucified with Christ
Romans 12:1 – Present your body a living sacrifice
2 Corinthians 5:14–15 – Live for Him who died
Matthew 22:37 – Love the Lord with all your heart
Song History
Isaac Watts wrote “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” in 1707 as one of
the first hymns to focus entirely on Christ’s atonement from a deeply
personal perspective. Though originally written for communion services,
it has become one of the most beloved and respected hymns of all time.
Watts’s poetic mastery and biblical depth continue to stir hearts,
inviting every soul to pause and truly survey what the cross means.
Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
