Gordon Mote - Meanwhile Back At The Cross Lyrics
Lyrics
The devil laughed and said I've won
God has lost his only son
The brightest star no longer shines
Finally this world is mine
Then he gathered all his demons near
He said we have conquered love with fear
Meanwhile back at the cross
All is not lost
Forgiveness is bought with each drop of his blood
It falls to the ground
Mercy abounds
As Mother Mary's tears fall down
To see her precious son pay the cost
The devil said we'll use their pride
We'll attack them from inside
Fill their hearts with vanity
Til their differences are all they'll see
Black and white, rich and poor
To justify their holy war
Meanwhile back at the cross
All is not lost
Forgiveness is bought with each drop of his blood
It falls to the ground
Mercy abounds
As Mother Mary's tears fall down
To see her precious son pay the cost
Take a look around
Turn on the evening news
The devil said there's no way
I'm gonna lose
Hate is everywhere
Love cannot be found
It took me two thousand years
But it's almost over now
Meanwhile back at the cross
All is not lost
Forgiveness is bought with each drop of his blood
It falls to the ground
Mercy abounds
As Mother Mary's tears fall down
To see her precious son pay the cost
Video
Meanwhile Back At The Cross - Gordon Mote
Meaning & Inspiration
Gordon Mote’s "Meanwhile Back At The Cross," released on August 27, 2013, as part of his album *All Things New*, offers a profound spiritual reflection that challenges our perspective on both human struggle and divine triumph. The song constructs a vivid narrative, contrasting the perceived victories of evil in the world with the unchanging, eternal power emanating from Christ's sacrifice. It’s a powerful reminder that despite appearances, the central event of history—the Cross—continues to redefine reality and offer ultimate hope.
The song opens with the chilling boast of the devil, declaring victory over God’s "only son," believing the "brightest star no longer shines" and the world is finally his. This paints a picture of spiritual warfare, echoing ancient prophecies where evil seeks to overcome the divine. From the very beginning, Satan, the "father of lies" as described in John 8:44, has sought to usurp God’s authority and destroy His creation. His initial deception in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-7) was a prelude to this grander illusion of victory. Yet, the song immediately provides the crucial counterpoint, asserting that "Meanwhile back at the cross, all is not lost." This pivotal line anchors the entire message, pulling our focus away from the enemy's temporary gloating to the eternal truth of Calvary. Here, "forgiveness is bought with each drop of His blood," a direct and powerful affirmation of Isaiah 53:5, which prophesies, "by His wounds we are healed," and Hebrews 9:22, stating that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." The mention of Mother Mary's tears falling down to see her precious son pay the cost beautifully humanizes the divine sacrifice, underscoring the immense pain and love involved, while simultaneously pointing to the boundless mercy that "abounds" from that very scene.
The narrative continues to reveal the devil’s ongoing strategy, shifting from the initial crucifixion to the insidious tactics of division and pride within humanity itself. The song describes evil's plan to "use their pride," attacking people "from inside" and filling their hearts with vanity until "their differences are all they'll see." This resonates deeply with biblical warnings against pride, which Proverbs 16:18 identifies as preceding destruction, and the divisive nature of sin. The lines describing how "black and white, rich and poor" become justifications for "holy war" powerfully critiques how genuine faith can be twisted by human arrogance and prejudice, creating walls instead of bridges. The Apostle Paul’s words in Galatians 3:28, declaring that "there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus," stand in stark contrast to this diabolical agenda of separation. Again, the song returns to its unwavering refrain: "Meanwhile back at the cross, all is not lost." This constant refrain serves as a vital anchor, pulling our minds back to the unchanging truth that God's plan is never truly derailed by human failings or evil machinations.
The song brings its message into the present day, inviting us to "take a look around, turn on the evening news," where "hate is everywhere" and "love cannot be found." The devil, seeing the chaos and suffering in the world, proclaims, "I'm gonna lose" and that "it's almost over now." This reflects the pervasive sense of despair that can easily consume us when we focus solely on global conflicts, moral decay, and seemingly insurmountable challenges. Indeed, 1 Peter 5:8 warns us that "your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." Yet, even amidst this bleak contemporary landscape, the song steadfastly reiterates its core truth: "Meanwhile back at the cross, all is not lost." This unwavering declaration reminds us that the Cross is not merely a historical event but a timeless, ongoing source of power and hope that transcends all temporal despair. It is the ultimate divine counter-narrative to the enemy’s false claims of victory, assuring us that Christ’s triumph over sin and death (Colossians 2:15, 1 John 3:8) remains the eternal reality. Gordon Mote's powerful and inspiring composition calls us to fix our gaze on the divine truth of Calvary, affirming that regardless of the darkness we witness, God’s forgiveness, mercy, and ultimate victory are perpetually secured by the sacrifice on the cross, making it the true center of all things new.