I Crucified Thee

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
that man to judge thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.

Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee.
'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee:
I crucified thee.

Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
the slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;
for our atonement, while we nothing heedeth,
God intercedeth.

For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,
thy mortal sorrow, and thy life's oblation;
thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,
for my salvation.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,
not my deserving.

-- Johannes Heermann, arr. J.S. Bach

These are not just words. My sin--my personal sin that I have commited, and tragically, that which I have yet to commit--is responsible for the suffering and death of holy Jesus. And there is nothing I can ever do that can ever atone for it. All I can offer is my life in return for the immeasurable favours he has done me and the unfathomable mercies he has shown me, and must rely upon his grace for the rest.

For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight -- Psalm 51:4