The Power of the Cross

One of the means by which you and I are priviledged to worship God is through music. Since I was a child I have loved music. I was raised to love and enjoy music. I believe that music is vitally important in our attempt to ascribe worth to God. It is a means by which we, like King David, are able to give an opinion of His excellent character.

Music is not only important in our corporate worship of God, but also in our private times of adoration. I tend to believe there is a fine line between cultural relevance and compromise when it comes to Christian music. I truly don't want to get into that in this blog. We have "experts" who will explain for us the sensuality of the 2/4 beat and the subsequent compromise of using instruments other than a piano- I will leave it to them to delineate these things. With that being said, I have found that there are many God-honoring, Christ-centered, Gospel-derived songs that have been written in the last 10 years. Just because they happen to be "contemporary" doesn't immediately mean "compromise." Understand, Martin Luther's, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God was contemporary in his day.

What I would like to do is introduce to some of you (others will know many of these already) some music that has aided my worship of Jesus Christ. Not just psalms and hymns, but spiritual songs that focus solely on what Christ has done for us and how we are to respond to those acts of love. And let's be honest, when's the last time you went to a church where the Psalms were sung?

Just recently I was introduced to Keith and Kristyn Getty. The Gettys are modern day hymn writers from Ireland whose goal and aim is to write and produce music expressly for the church. Along with Bob Kauflin, Stuart Townend, and others, the Gettys provide doctrinally rich text communicated with relevant music.

This song is called, The Power of the Cross. It is one of the most moving songs I have ever heard; not just because it has a beautiful melody, but because of the truth of what Christ has done for me. Lyrics are provided below. Take a moment to reflect on the finished work of our Lord.





Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

CHORUS

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

CHORUS

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.