Song: I Should Have Been Crucified
Isaiah 53:1-13
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
Over a span of two decades the songs of Gordon Jensen have been recorded more than 2,000 times, and have been translated into fifteen languages. Among those recording the songs are celebrated artists Cynthia Clawson, The Imperials, Dallas Holm, The Cathedrals Quartet, Doug Oldham, and Larnelle Harris. Jensen, the quartet singer, pianist, and songwriter, began a solo ministry in 1979, with the recording of two albums of original songs for Benson’s Impact Records followed by two more on Word’s DaySpring label. Several more have been released since then.
He said of his personal appearances, "My goal in being anywhere before people is to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ through the gifts He has entrusted me with. Nothing of real value could occur if I were there for any other purpose." In addition to the subject of this story, among Jensen’s songs are such outstanding favorites as "He's As Close As the Mention of His Name," "Bigger Than Any Mountain," "Tears Are a Language," "God Still Loves the World," and "Written in Red." Jensen's "Redemption Draweth Nigh" was used as the musical theme for the film A Distant Thunder.
In 1986, a nurse told him of her participation in a late-term abortion where a baby was born alive. When the infant began to cry she made an effort to help it, but was told to "get away from that fetus and let it die." Jensen's response to her story was the writing of a song, "Sometimes They Cry." It received wide acceptance and was given a large amount of play on radio stations. He later said, "I'm hoping the Lord will use this song to stir some people to action."
Gordon has been nominated on five occasions for Songwriter of the Year by the Gospel Music Association, and a number of his songs have been GMS's Top Ten Songs of the Year. His compositions are found in song books as well as in several choral collections.
In an interview in July, 2001, I asked Gordon to tell me how he came to write "I Should Have Been Crucified." Following is his story, just as he related it:
"In 1971, I read a biography of Billy Sunday in which a portion of one his sermons appeared. In the sermon he used a graphic illustration, one which made a profound effect on me. It was the story of a man who should have died in the Civil War, but his life was spared."
"During the struggle between the Union and the Confederate forces, a man from the south became a member of a Confederate group called Quantrell's Raiders. They used gorilla warfare tactics, raiding small towns and villages and then disappearing in the night. They were successful in avoiding being caught for a span of about two years."
"Prior to one of their intended raids, the Union forces had been tipped off and were lying in waiting for them. They were successful in capturing all of the Raiders but one, a teenage boy who escaped. The rest were sentenced to be executed before a firing squad. Word of the execution traveled over the countryside and a sizable crowd of spectators gathered to witness the fate of this notorious band. Little did the the authorities know that the teen who had escaped made his way back to the scene and was present in the curious crowd."
"The raiders were lined up facing the firing squad. Just before the shots rang out the young boy ran out of the crowd and up to the commanding officer. He yelled, 'Stop! I think you should know that I'm one of them. But you didn't bring me here, I came by my own choice.' He then pointed to one of the men in the line and said, 'This man is my friend. He has a wife and children and I have no one. I'd like to take his place, if you will let him go.' The officer in charge replied, 'If that is your desire, I will grant it.' The teen walked into the line, in place of his friend, and was executed with Quantrell's Raiders."
"The freed man later became very successful in business, and late in his life was a supporter of Evangelist Billy Sunday. He also had a monument placed at the grave of the teen who died in his place. The inscription read:
Sacred to the memory of Willie Lee.
He took my place in the line.
He died for me.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 06/01/2006
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Category: Behind the Songs
Comments: 8
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Mr. Terry-
love your music
What a wonderful tribute to a tremendously gifted man of God. My parents, sister and I sang for about 15 years,recording many albums all full of Gordon Jensen's songs. The very first being, "He's Changiong Me". Many others I remember with great fondness like, "goldmine" (which my sister and I sng while very young), A Small Wooden Bridge", It's Jesus I really want to see" (which my dear father, who was blind, sang and we played it at his funeral), and "The Glove". There are so many, too many to mention. There seems to be a shortage of godly songwriters out there who write songs steeped in scripture like Gordon Jensen. I am deeply grateful for his ministry.
I have stage 4 cancer. I 'googled' Gordon Jenson's name looking for somewhere to buy his music because from the time I was first saved it had so totally affected and encouraged me by it's gospel simplicity that it litrally became the example for how I learned how to walk with God...as a "glove available whenever God chose to use me"...instead of as one who sought to be a 'minister FOR God'. That song became the basis for my entire life with the Lord. I had played his records so much I had literally worn them till they could no longer even be played.
Gordon's New website
Gordon Jensen's new web site is :
Gordon: This is just MorningGlorytoo (Pat) dropping by to let you know the Father is still keeping me...through chemo's mountain of side effects and many other personal trials. I will never forget your gift...of words...of music....and of the Father's never-ending love displayed so clearly in all you do and say. When I had all but given up and was preparing for my funeral, your words brought back the Lord's life and peace to my heart and I am still 'trucking on' for Him. Blessings on all God calls you to do for Him always.
I remember the early days when I first heard the Orrells in South Bend,In. I also recall the first album of the Orrells which I would listen to at night,over &over; again. My heart was so touched with His presence as I listened to these songs.It was so evident that Gorden Jensen had an anointing on his life, and still does. God's richest blessings on you!!!
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