CityAlight - It Was Finished Upon That Cross Lyrics
Lyrics
How I love the voice of Jesus
On the cross of Calvary
He declares his work is finished
He has spoken this hope to me
Though the sun had ceased its shining
Though the war appeared as lost
Christ had triumphed over evil
It was finished upon that cross
Now the curse it has been broken
Jesus paid the price for me
Full, the pardon he has offered
Great, the welcome that I receive
Boldly I approach my Father
Clothed in Jesus’ righteousness
There is no more guilt to carry
It was finished upon that cross
Death was once my great opponent
Fear once had a hold on me
But the Son who died to save us
Rose that we would be free indeed!
Death was once my great opponent
Fear once had a hold on me
But the Son who died to save us
Rose that we would be free indeed!
YES He Rose that we would be free indeed!
Free from every plan of darkness
Free to live and free to love
Death is dead and Christ is risen!
It was finished upon that cross
Onward to eternal glory
To my Saviour and my God
I rejoice in Jesus’ victory
It was finished upon that cross
Video
It Was Finished Upon That Cross (Official Lyric Video) - CityAlight
Meaning & Inspiration
CityAlight, known for their ability to articulate deep theological truths with accessible melodies, released "It Was Finished Upon That Cross" as a single on March 14, 2021. This powerful song immediately draws the worshiper into the profound meaning of Christ’s declaration from the cross, "Tetelestai," a single Greek word echoing through centuries, signifying absolute completion and ultimate victory. The song masterfully unpacks this pivotal moment in salvation history, inviting a deep reflection on its eternal implications for every believer.
The narrative of "It Was Finished Upon That Cross" begins at Calvary, highlighting Jesus' final words as a declaration of finished work, a foundational hope spoken directly into the heart of humanity. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the cosmic disruption at the crucifixion – the sun ceasing to shine – underscoring the immense spiritual battle being waged. While outwardly appearing as a moment of defeat, the song quickly shifts focus to the divine triumph, echoing Colossians 2:13-15 where Christ disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. This initial stanza establishes the finished work as not just an end to suffering, but the definitive conquest over evil itself, a truth that transforms despair into an unwavering hope.
Moving beyond the scene of the cross, the song beautifully articulates the glorious consequences of that finished work. It celebrates the breaking of the curse of sin, a direct fulfillment of Galatians 3:13, where Christ became a curse for us to redeem us from the curse of the law. The price paid by Jesus secures a full pardon, offering a divine welcome that allows us to boldly approach our Heavenly Father, no longer weighed down by guilt. This bold access is precisely what Hebrews 4:16 encourages, urging us to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace. We stand clothed in Jesus’ righteousness, as 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God," meaning there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). This transformation from condemned sinner to welcomed child of God is the heart of the Gospel, powerfully portrayed in the song.
The song then shifts into a declaration of the personal victory achieved through Christ's resurrection, emphasizing that death and fear, once formidable opponents, have been utterly defeated. The repeated lines about death being our great opponent and fear’s former grip serve to amplify the liberating truth of the resurrection. Hebrews 2:14-15 reminds us that through death, Jesus destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and freed those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. The profound assertion that the Son "rose that we would be free indeed" encapsulates the essence of John 8:36, where Jesus proclaims, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." This freedom extends beyond merely an absence of condemnation; it is a freedom from every dark plan, a freedom to genuinely live and love in newness of life (Romans 6:4). The triumphant declaration, "Death is dead and Christ is risen!" reverberates with the power of 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, celebrating the ultimate victory over the grave and the sting of death.
Finally, "It Was Finished Upon That Cross" propels the worshiper forward with an anticipation of eternal glory. It speaks to a future filled with the joy of Christ's victory, reminding us that our ultimate destination is with our Savior and God. This forward-looking perspective, rooted in the finished work of the cross and the power of the resurrection, aligns with the hope presented in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, where our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. The song concludes by circling back to its central theme, reiterating that all of this profound hope, peace, freedom, and future glory flows directly from the singular, complete, and eternally significant event on Calvary. CityAlight has crafted not just a song, but a robust theological anthem that encourages, strengthens, and directs our gaze to the enduring truth that Christ’s work was indeed, perfectly and permanently, finished upon that cross.