I Was There, But Didn’t See

[Verse 1] I was just a young man, serving Rome that night Guarding Bethlehem, beneath a strange and brilliant light A man led a donkey, with a woman astride She was weary, for her time with child was drawing nigh There was no room, no place to send them to They disappeared in the darkness, like travelers do But something about that evening, and that winter sky Stayed with me for years, though I never knew why [Verse 2] Then shepherds came a-running, talking wild about a King Said they saw the heavens opened, and a host of angels sing They said a Savior had been born, in a manger down the road I shook my head and laughed, beneath the armor that I wore I had orders, and duties to keep I had no time to hear of a baby born among some lowly sheep They hurried onward, and I turned the other way Never knowing the world changed, forever on that day [Chorus 1] I was there, but didn’t know What Heaven sent below I saw the light, I heard the story But never recognized His glory I stood so close to history To the One who came to rescue me I saw Him, but didn’t see The Savior right before me [Verse 3] Thirty-three years came and went, Rome still ruled the land I’d grown old, but a sword still in my hand They brought a man before us, beaten, wearing thorns upon His head They called Him King of the Jews—as they led Him out to death I watched Him carry timber, up that rugged hill He never cursed, or fought against their will They raised Him on that cross, beneath the darkening sky I heard Him ask His Father, to forgive the ones who’d made Him die [Verse 4] Darkness fell at midday, the earth began to shake Deep inside me, my hardened heart, began to break The words those shepherds spoke came rushing back again A Savior born in Bethlehem, to save the souls of sinful men Could this be that Child, the One they came to see? Could that King be dying here for me? I watched a thousand people die, but never one like Him Ohhh, suddenly I understood, the weight of all my sin [Chorus 2] I was there, and now I know Why Heaven sent Him here below I saw the cross, I saw His suffering I saw the sacrifice of Heaven’s King I stood so close to Calvary And saw the price He paid for me Oh, I saw Him, and now I see The Son of God, dying there for me [Bridge] I thought seeing meant believing But I’d been blind for all those years I’d seen the signs, I’d heard the stories But turned away from what was clear Then three days later I heard the stone was rolled away and the grave was bare I wasn’t there to see Him risen But I believe that He was there [Final Verse] You may never see Bethlehem Or stand beneath that cross You may never see the empty tomb But it’s what our sin cost And the question I faced that day Still echoes through the years Will you see Him for the Savior He is Or let Him disappear? [Final Chorus] I was there, but didn’t see The Child who came to rescue me I was there when the daylight died And Heaven’s King was crucified But now I know, and I believe He conquered death to set me free I saw Him then, and now I see Jesus Christ, my Savior and my King! [Tag] I was there… I saw Him… But I didn’t see… Until I saw Him— Through the eyes of faith! JESUS CHRIST— MY SAVIOR AND MY KING!