SUNDAY CHOICE – The Story Behind Jesus Paid It All – by Charles Schokman
” Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1 18
Obvious from its title, “Jesus Paid It All,” this hymn harkens to the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus through his crucifixion. Elvina Hall, inspired by her gratitude of our salvation through Jesus, wrote this hymn as a reminder of the price paid to resolve us of our sins. This song remains very popular today, performed by various contemporary music artists.
The Story Behind Jesus Paid It All
Elvina Hall originally conceived the idea for “Jesus Paid It All” while sitting in the choir loft listening to a Pastor’s prayer. Her mind turned to our need for salvation and the price Jesus paid for it. She then scribbled the initial makings of this renowned hymn on her hymnbook, later developing the lyrics into the published form.
After writing this hymn, Hall gave it to her Pastor and an extraordinary “coincidence” took place that day at the Monument Street Methodist Church of Baltimore. Organist John Grape had recently written a new tune and given it to the pastor. The pastor saw that the tune and the poem fit together extremely well, so he united them. In that way, one of the most beloved hymns of the church came into being.
Story adapted from the article Jesus Paid It All on Christianity.com
