There's a song I've heard on Christian radio for the past couple of weeks, even more so the past couple of days. It seems that everytime I get in the car, no matter which Christian radio station I turn the station to, I hear this song. "The Beauty of The Cross". What an odd title. Considering that Easter is nearing, the rememberance of Christ's death on the cross and the resurrection-- the timing of the song makes sense. But, the name?!?!
Initially, to me, the cross brings thoughts of pain, excruciating pain. Isolation. Loneliness. Abandonment. Death. How can there be beauty in that?
Let's take a look at what the author of the song says in the lyrics:
"Beauty of the Cross" sung by Jonny Diaz
(written by Jeff Johnson Band-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwkmLr_xydY&feature=related) [Jeff Johnson Band]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pobyKO3O2MQ&feature=related (Jonny Diaz playing guitar live on stage)
At the cross I find the beauty of Your matchless grace
At the cross I see a King who died to take my place
It's the moment that You made me clean and pardoned my soul
Amazing grace that I would be allowed unto Your throne
Not by my own will but solely by Your will alone
I'm unworthy of this love you have shown to me
I see my desperate need
The beauty of the cross is that there's One who has redeemed my soul
Beauty of the cross is that I'm finally free and letting go
Beauty of the cross is that Your grace has found me just as I am
Not by my own works that I may boast or I may come
But simply through your Son the sinless and Exalted One
Only through the cross that I'm made clean to draw near to you
Saved so that you would receive all glory due Your name
Everlasting God from age to age you never change
A true love story remains for all eternity
That all the world would see
My sinful soul could only be
Redeemed by the blood of a sinless King
So you came to the world that You had made
Conquered sin on the cross and You rose from the grave
That's the beauty of the cross
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jonny Diaz (through Jeff Johnson) isn't the only one to have recorded a song about this theme.
Crystal Lewis also has a song by the same title. Her lyrics are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs-M1T_m4kc&playnext=1&list=PL514E0FBA166265C0
King of my life I crown You now
You're the ruler of my heart
I will wear it loud
I will tell the whole world about You
You died in my place
You suffered all for me
Just so I could live
You were broken and bruised
And I will tell the whole world about You
The cross, stained by blood
The beauty of the cross
Healing for the lost
The cross, stained by blood
The beauty of the cross
Healing for the lost
The cross
King of my life I crown You now
You're healer I've longed for
Now of heaven I'm sure
And I will tell the whole world about You
Thorns on Your brow
Stripes on Your back
So innocent, You did it all for me
Nails in Your hands
Nails in Your feet
Sword in Your side, You did it all for me
You paid the cost
That's the beauty of the cross
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Maybe through the lyrics of both of these songs, and possibly through hearing the songs performed via the YouTube links, maybe you can see the beauty through the pain, the beauty through the sacrifice.
The journey to the cross..... the journey of the cross..... taking up one's cross and following Christ....
What role does the cross play in your journey?
How do you respond to the cross?
May there be some time for thinking through these things on your journey.
~Debra
Our priest, Mother Kathleen, walked us through the "Stations of the Cross" at church last Sunday. Including picking up and carrying a huge, heavy cross made of beams that several times she loudly hurled to the ground at the points when "Jesus falls." Indeed, what does it mean, to take up our cross and follow Jesus? Thanks for returning us to that basic question, Debra.
ReplyDeleteDavid, that sounds very powerful... I think I would have jumped sky high each time the cross thudded loudly. I think I'd like your priest.
ReplyDelete