Nearer, Still Nearer
Lyrics and Music by Lelia N. Morris, 1862-1929
“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…” (Matt.27:50-51).
It is fitting that the death of the Lord Jesus Christ was marked by numerous miracles. It seems natural that when the One, Who alone possesses immortality, yielded up His spirit, that the earth would shake and the rocks split, and that graves were opened. Yet the one miracle that we should not overlook is the tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom. Why is the tearing of the veil so important to the believer?
There was an ordinance under the Law that no man should ever go into the Holy of Holies with the exception of the high priest. The high priest was permitted to enter only “…once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance” (Heb 9:7). Any other man who attempted to enter would surely die for his profane intrusion into the secret place of the Most High. The Holy Placewas for the priests alone while the people were set at an even further distance. Even when appearing to Moses in the burning bush (Ex 3:2-5), the angel of the LORD said to him, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” God had established boundaries. The spirit of the old Law was one of reverent distance.
But all of this has ended. The veil is torn! Access is granted! The law forbidding us from entering the Holy of Holies, this place of nearness to God and reverent awe, has been abolished. All who are weary and heavy laden are to come. We are to “…draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…” (Heb 10:22) because “…we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Heb 10:19-20). The infinite love of God, which He demonstrated in Christ Jesus, invites us to draw near. So come, and let nothing hinder your entrance into the sanctuary of Jehovah!
Stanza 1:
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior – so precious Thou art!
Fold me, oh, fold me close to Thy breast.
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest;
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest;
Reflective thoughts: To be close to the heart of God means to honor the Lord, to be obedient to His will at the expense of your own, to enthrone God as king in your heart, to love the people of God, and to have a soft, repentant heart. Do you see these characteristics in your own life?
Stanza 2:
Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an off’ring to Jesus, my King;
Only my sinful, now contrite heart.
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.
Reflective thoughts: David had grievously sinned, and the blood of animals offered in sacrifice could not put away his sin unless his heart was penitent and contrite. The same is true even now. The perfect blood sacrifice for sin and guilt acceptable to God has been made by the Lord Jesus Christ. But even this sacrifice will not avail for us unless we come before Him with a humble heart. What are the promises found in Psalm 51:17, Matthew 5:4? Is there unconfessed sin in your own life that you’ve been pridefully holding onto? Confess it now and experience full freedom from the guilt and bondage of sin (Ps.32:5).
Stanza 3:
Nearer, still nearer, Lord to be Thine!
Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride.
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified;
Reflective thoughts: God is omnipresent. He is a God who is near, and not a God far off. The greatest divider between God and man was not the veil, however, but sin. Sin separates us from God and causes us to walk contrary to Him. Sin is engrained in us, our whole nature is tainted by it, our hearts hardened because of it, and our eyes blinded with it. But praise be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who put away sin when He “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even to death on the cross”(Phil.2:8). His death establishes the covenant of grace with us and our sins He shall remember no more. And because Jesus has removed the guilt of our sins, we are now free to enjoy God, to pursue holy lives, and to minister His amazing grace to others!
Stanza 4:
Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Thro’ endless ages ever to be
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee;
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee;
Reflective thoughts: The Gospel is not only the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, but it is where we find all we need to overcome sin and the powers of evil. The Gospel is where we are reminded of our righteous standing before God and are freed from the labor of trying to earn God’s favor. The Gospel is not just for salvation; it is the driving force behind every believer for life and for godliness. The more we experience the riches of Christ in the Gospel, the greater our longing will be to join Him in heaven, where we will experience “thro’ endless ages ever to be” the fullness of His beauty and grace!
