Near the Cross: Fanny Crosby’s Hymn of Redemption and Hope
In her hymn “Near the Cross,” Fanny Crosby reflects on the profound significance of the cross in the life of a believer and the transformative power of the redemption found there. Drawing from her own experience of God’s love and mercy, Crosby pens lyrics that emphasize the cross as the source of healing, hope, and ultimate rest for the soul.
The opening verse establishes the centrality of the cross, with Crosby describing it as the location of a precious fountain, freely available to all. This fountain, flowing from Calvary’s mountain, represents the healing stream of Christ’s blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. Crosby acknowledges the universal accessibility of this redemption, emphasizing that it is offered to everyone who comes to the cross in faith.
The chorus is a declaration of the believer’s unwavering devotion to the cross. Crosby expresses her desire for the cross to be her glory ever, recognizing that it is the ultimate symbol of God’s love and sacrifice. She looks forward to the day when her soul, raptured in eternal life, will find rest beyond the river, alluding to the peace and joy of heaven.
In the second verse, Crosby reflects on her personal encounter with God’s love and mercy at the foot of the cross. She describes herself as a trembling soul, acknowledging her own weakness and need for salvation. It was at the cross where she found the Bright and Morning Star, a title for Jesus Christ, shedding His beams of light and hope around her, dispelling the darkness of sin and despair.
The third verse is a prayer for the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, to keep the scenes of the cross ever before the believer’s eyes. Crosby asks for divine help to walk daily with the shadows of the cross over her, recognizing the importance of continually remembering and meditating on Christ’s sacrificial love. This verse emphasizes the need for a constant focus on the cross as a source of strength and guidance in the Christian life.
The final verse expresses the believer’s commitment to watching and waiting near the cross, living a life of hope and trust until reaching the golden strand of heaven. Crosby acknowledges that the journey of faith may involve challenges and trials, but she remains steadfast in her conviction that the cross is the anchor of her soul, providing stability and assurance until she enters eternity.
Throughout her life, Fanny Crosby experienced the redemptive power of the cross and the hope it provides. Despite facing the challenges of blindness and loss, she found comfort and strength in her salvation and the promise of eternal life. “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” serves as a reminder for believers to cling to the cross, to daily reflect on Christ’s sacrifice, and to find hope and rest in the salvation He freely offers. This hymn encourages us to make the cross the central focus of our lives, trusting in its power to heal, transform, and lead us to our eternal home.
