WHAT AN AMAZING CHRIST!

I don't know if I can do justice to the story that brought about this song in just a few words. I'll try.

Our youth pastor preached one Sunday night and told about Watkin Roberts, missionary to India. Watkin wanted to go to India but met with resistance from the British mission board. Missionaries should not live with the natives. Yet, carrying only a few things including a Gospel of John, he trekked off to India where he shared the gospel with the chief of a certain tribe. Then, he was abruptly ordered home. Defeated, he left his homeland and crossed the sea to live in Canada.

Making a long story short, the chief sent his grandson, Rochunga, to the mission school, the small boy crossing the mountains alone to get there. He was educated, became a Christian, came to America to attend Wheaton College, translated the New Testament into his language and sent the Bibles back to his tribe. The whole tribe turned to Christ.

Rochunga learned where Watkin was living and went to see him. He told him how so many people had become Christians because of Watkin's contact and witness during those two weeks. He sang some of their hymns in their language. Watkin, very old now, was deeply touched. And this is what he said: "What an amazing Christ! He never asks for our approval...only faith to believe that He is at work when all is mystery."

I was moved by this tale. The next day I wrote this song. Through the years I have sung it again and again, and every time I do, people tell me it and the story touched them.

WHAT AN AMAZING CHRIST!

He walked upon the sea as no one else had walked before.

He loosed a raving man from Satan’s grip along the shore,

And with a gentle hand, He touched blind eyes and made them see!

What an amazing Christ! What an amazing Christ!

He took five loaves, two fish, and fed a crowd their daily bread,

He calmed an angry sea with just a few short words He said,

And with a mighty voice He raised the dead to life again!

What an amazing Christ! What an amazing Christ!

He is the Lion and the Lamb. He is the Shepherd and the King.

He is the Servant and the Master. He is the only song I’ll sing!

He takes my stumbling words and scatters them to thousands.

He takes my faltering faith and with it He moves mountains.

He takes the song I sing and with it makes the heavens ring!

What an amazing Christ! What an amazing Christ!

He shed His precious blood that He might give new life to me,

And when He died that day He conquered sin eternally,

And when He rose up from the dead He vanquished death and hell!

What an amazing Christ! What an amazing Christ!