Hymn Story: Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery

  

You won’t find this hymn in the hymnal at your church because it is a newer song. I am excited to find that there is a renewed emphasis in hymn-style writing that has been blessing the church music for some time now. This modern hymn was written by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa, and Michael Bleecker. If you are not familiar with their works, do yourself a favor and look them up. They, along with the Getty’s have produced many wonderful modern hymns. Let’s look at 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

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

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

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

So much can be taught from these verses but I want to focus on what verse two says and how this verse allowed me to have a gospel teaching moment with one of my children!

Each verse of this hymn starts with a call to focus on a mystery, or a deep thought of what Christ did and what he will do when he returns! In verse 2 we are to reflect on Jesus being the perfect man. Jesus had no sin, He was perfect and he came to “save the hell-bound man.” Christ was the fulfillment of the law.

When I first introduced this song in our worship, my young son (who’s name is Adam) told me he does not like this song. Curious as to the reason, he said he doesn’t like that his name (Adam) is mentioned as a bad thing. It made him feel strange about his name and this became a great teaching moment! I explained to him what this really meant, that Adam and Eve did fail in the garden. Adam was to be guardian, the keeper of garden and stay in perfect communion with God but sin corrupted this relationship. There had to be a perfect, sinless man to save the world. Jesus was the “true and better Adam” What a great truth! What a great mystery!

This hymn clearly walks the singer through the gospel story. Come, let us behold this wondrous mystery together!

(Bill Blackrick)