When I Survey...A Lenten Anthology

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3rd Edition

This Lenten anthology is a collection of six books, originally radio messages delivered during Lent, which explore the various aspects of Christ’s suffering and death. Each of the six sections—The Amazing Cross, The Royal Sufferer, The Power of the Cross, Rejected of Men, Jesus in the Midst, and Man of Sorrows—is devoted to a specific aspect of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through these inspirational messages, readers will be brought to a deeper knowledge of their own worthlessness and of the absolute necessity of Christ’s cross for their salvation. May every reader, as did the author, welcome the opportunity which the season of Lent affords to “survey the wondrous cross” and to seek refuge in the shadow of that cross.

What others are saying about this book:

"[This book is] among the very best that I have read on the general subject of our Lord’s suffering. [It has] the following commendable characteristics: 1. [It is] deeply devotional and practical. 2. [It] stress[es] the divine, not the human aspect; that is, we are made to see Jesus as our Lord who voluntarily laid down His life, and not as a mere martyr, however virtuous or courageous. 3. [It is] expository; that is, [it] seeks to delve into the meaning of the text. This is lacking in almost all Lenten volumes. 4. The style is very clear and very simple. The thought is generally rich and original. All in all, a fine piece of work! All of this does not mean that we endorse every statement in [this book]. The book, nevertheless, [is one] of the finest Lenten volumes we have seen. We have read [it] with delight." – Wm. Hendriksen (The Banner)

“The best one-volume twentieth-century work [on Christ’s sufferings] is Herman Hoeksema, When I Survey…A single, basic theme underlies each of six sections that were originally published as books of radio messages (1943–56).” - Joel R. Beeke and Sinclair B. Ferguson (Reformed Confessions Harmonized, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1999, p. 259)

"So much that is being published these days on Lenten themes is superficial and misleading. Too often the stress is laid on the external aspects of our Lord’s passion, as if the things that matter most about the Christ on the cross are His 'manliness', 'heroism,' 'patience under tremendous strain,' etc. In not a few Lenten books the cross of our Savior is presented as something to be described rather than expounded. There is a lot of sentimentalism printed about Calvary that is thoroughly unbiblical. Here is a book that goes to the heart of the real Lenten theme. Part I [of The Amazing Cross] deals with the relation between our Lord’s sufferings and such truths as God’s judgment of the world, His judgment of the Church and the Political World-power. Part II [of The Amazing Cross] is an excellent exposition of our Savior’s obedience. The chapter on Gethsemane, entitled 'Before the Gates of Hell' is exceptionally good. The title of the book [The Amazing Cross] is exceedingly appropriate. The author has exalted the amazing grace of our amazing Redeemer who died an amazing death, that by His amazing resurrection from the dead we might preach an amazing Gospel." – Rev. Leonard Greenway, on The Amazing Cross

"In thinking on the meaning of the Crucifixion and our glorious salvation, we do well to ponder the supreme cost. In this meditation is given some timely help in understanding certain deeper aspects of that suffering." – Herman Hanko, on Rejected of Men

"As I laid aside the book, “And Jesus in the Midst” by Prof. Hoeksema, the thought came to my mind, how sad it is that so often in the Christian homes of today books of this type are neatly put away between a set of handsome book ends to be moved only when they are dusted each week. Especially in the Lenten season when Christians are spending time in meditation and reflection on the passion of the Lord is a book like this a valuable addition to the reading material in our homes, but at any time of the year its spiritual worth must not be minimized...The meditations are comparatively short when thought of as sermons and one or two can easily be read at one sitting.  There is depth of thought and much of spiritual value in each message; there is one glorious thought which is brought out completely in the series as a whole.  Each message is written in an interesting way and reading them does not become tedious.  Indeed, this is an inspirational and worthwhile book!" – Mrs. M. Kroondyk of the Beacon Lights on And Jesus in the Midst...

"In this Lenten season, I suggest that you read 'And Jesus in the Midst.' It is not fiction; but it reads like fiction. It treats the thrilling—spiritually thrilling—drama of Jesus on Calvary, of His intercession for transgressors, of the Divine answer to His prayer, of His awful depth of suffering, of the testimony of His righteousness, of the signs of His victory, of His glorious resurrection.  These things are made to live for us in this little book of 9 chapters. For the book is written in order that we, too, may 'watch Him there,' in the confession that it was we who crucified Him, and in the faith that 'He must suffer in order to enter into His glory,' which is also our glory. Read this book to increase your knowledge in an age of ignorance." – Mrs. H. C. Hoeksema of the Beacon Lights on And Jesus in the Midst...

Herman Hoeksema (1886–1965) was the minister of one of the largest Reformed congregations in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for forty years, a theologian and professor, and a prolific writer. However, his first love was the pulpit ministry. Whether from Old or New Testament, the strength of his preaching lay in his ability to expound the Scriptures
clearly and simply. Many of his writings have been printed, some posthumously, and all are a testimony of the Reformed faith, so precious to him.

• 564 pages
• hardcover
• ISBN 978-1-959515-34-0
  
• Release date: 1977/1993, 2025

eBook version available