Michael W. Smith - Secret Ambition Lyrics
Lyrics
Young man, up on the hillside
Teaching new ways
Each word, winning them over
Each heart a kindled flame
Old men, watch from the outside
Guarding their prey
Threated by the voice of a paragon
Leading their lambs away
Leading them far away
Nobody knew his secret ambition
Nobody knew his claim to fame
He broke the old rules steeped in tradition
He tore the holy veil away
Questioning those in powerful positions
Running to those who called his name
But nobody knew his secret ambition
Was to give his life away
His rage, shaking the temple
His word to the wise
His hand, healing on the seventh day
His love wearing no disguise
Some say, death to the radical
He's way out of line
Some say, praised be the miracle
God sends a blessed sign
A blessed sign for troubled times
Nobody knew his secret ambition
Nobody knew his claim to fame
He broke the old rules steeped in tradition
He tore the holy veil away
Questioning those in powerful positions
Running to those who called his name
But nobody knew his secret ambition
Was to give his life away...
Ohh... Oh... Oh...
Nobody knew his secret ambition
Nobody knew his claim to fame
He broke the old rules steeped in tradition
He tore the holy veil away
Questioning those in powerful positions
Running to those who called his name
But nobody knew his secret ambition
Was to give his life away
Oooohh...
No no, No no
I tell you nobody knew
Until he gave his life away
No!
Video
Michael W. Smith - Secret Ambition
Meaning & Inspiration
Michael W. Smith's "Secret Ambition," released on October 25, 2009, stands as a profoundly moving and insightful musical exploration of the life and ultimate purpose of Jesus Christ. The song immediately plunges into a narrative that chronicles the Messiah’s earthly ministry, meticulously detailing the revolutionary impact of His teachings, the opposition He faced, and the divine intention behind His every action. It is a powerful reflection on what truly drove the Son of God, presenting His mission as a hidden, yet all-encompassing, aspiration to offer the greatest sacrifice imaginable.
The lyrics vividly paint the scene of a "Young man, up on the hillside / Teaching new ways," immediately evoking images of Jesus delivering His transformative Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew chapters 5-7. His words, described as "winning them over" and "kindling a flame" in each heart, perfectly capture the profound effect Jesus had on those who heard Him, speaking with an authority and compassion unlike any other, as seen in Luke 24:32 when disciples exclaimed, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road and opened to us the Scriptures?" This divine influence, however, drew the wary gaze of "Old men, watch from the outside / Guarding their prey," a clear depiction of the religious establishment—the Pharisees and Sadducees—who perceived Jesus as a threat to their power and traditions. They feared His ability to "lead their lambs away" from their established order, echoing the conflict Jesus faced with those who prioritized human rules over God’s heart, as documented throughout the Gospels.
At the core of the song is the chorus, revealing that "Nobody knew his secret ambition... Was to give his life away." This encapsulates the profound truth of Jesus' mission, which, while foretold in Scripture (Isaiah 53) and spoken of by Christ Himself (Matthew 20:28, John 10:18), was largely incomprehensible to His followers until after His resurrection. His "claim to fame" was not earthly renown but divine redemption through His sacrifice. The song highlights His radical nature, noting, "He broke the old rules steeped in tradition," referring to how Jesus challenged man-made interpretations of the law that obscured its true spirit, prioritizing love and mercy over rigid legalism (Matthew 15:3-9). Furthermore, the line "He tore the holy veil away" is a direct and powerful reference to the tearing of the temple curtain at Jesus' death (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing that through His sacrifice, direct access to God was made available to all, removing the barriers that once separated humanity from the divine presence (Hebrews 10:19-22). His consistent "questioning those in powerful positions" and "running to those who called his name" showcases His unwavering commitment to truth and His boundless compassion for the marginalized and hurting, embodying His invitation in Matthew 11:28-30.
The narrative continues, describing "His rage, shaking the temple," a powerful portrayal of Jesus’ righteous anger when He cleansed the temple, driving out merchants and money-changers who had defiled His Father’s house (John 2:13-17). This moment revealed His divine authority and zeal for God's holiness. His "hand, healing on the seventh day" further illustrates His challenge to the legalistic Sabbath rules, demonstrating that acts of mercy and healing are always permissible, indeed commanded, even on the day of rest (Luke 13:10-17). Through every action, His "love wearing no disguise" shone through, a love that was pure, sacrificial, and utterly transparent. The song acknowledges the societal division Jesus created, with some proclaiming "death to the radical" while others praised Him, recognizing "God sends a blessed sign." This reflects the mixed reactions to Jesus—some saw a blasphemer deserving of crucifixion (John 19:7), while others witnessed undeniable miracles and acknowledged Him as God's messenger (John 3:2). The repeated chorus serves as a poignant reminder that this profound, self-sacrificial love was the true "secret ambition" of Jesus, a truth that ultimately reshaped human history and offers eternal hope. This song deeply encourages reflection on the unfathomable depth of Christ’s love and the ultimate purpose of His life—to willingly lay it down for the redemption of all.