What does love look like?
Is the question I've been pondering;
What does love look like?
What does love look like?
Is the question I've been asking of You
I once believed that love was romance, just a chance
I even thought that love was for the lucky and the beautiful
I once believed that love was a momentary bliss,
But love is more than this
All You ever wanted was my attention,
All You ever wanted was love from me
All You ever wanted was my affections,
To sit here at Your feet
Then I sat down, a little frustrated and confused;
If all of life comes down to love
Then love has to be more than sentiment,
More than selfishness and selfish gain
And then I saw Him there,
Hanging on a tree, looking at me
I saw Him there,
Hanging on a tree, looking at me
He was looking at me, looking at Him,
Staring through me
I could not escape those beautiful eyes,
And I began to weep and weep
He had arms wide open,
A heart exposed
Arms wide open;
He was bleeding, bleeding
Love's definition,
Love's definition was looking at me
Looking at Him, hanging on a tree,
I began to weep and weep and weep and weep
This is how I know what love is,
This is how I know what love is
And as I sat there weeping, crying,
Those beautiful eyes, full of desire and love
He said to me,
You shall love Me, You shall love Me
You shall love Me, You shall love Me
With arms wide open,
A heart exposed
With arms wide open,
Bleeding, sometimes bleeding
If anybody's looking for love in all the wrong places
If you've been searching for love,
Come to Me, come to Me
Take up your cross,
Deny yourself,
Forget your father's house and run, run with Me
You were made for abandonment, wholeheartedness
You were made for someone greater,
Someone bigger, so follow Me
And You'll come alive when you learn to die
Arms Wide Open Video
Arms Wide Open Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Arms Wide Open by Misty Edwards is a powerful worship song that explores the depths of God's love for us and calls us to respond by fully surrendering ourselves to Him.
Key Messages of the Song
The song begins with the question, "What does love look like?" This line sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer expresses her curiosity and desire to understand the true nature of love. The repetition of this question emphasizes the importance of seeking a genuine understanding of love.
The lyrics then shift to the singer's previous misconceptions about love, particularly in the context of romance and momentary bliss. She admits that she once believed love was only for the lucky and the beautiful. However, she realizes that love is far more profound and meaningful than these superficial notions.
The main message of the song is revealed in the chorus, where the singer reflects on her encounter with Jesus on the cross. She sees Him hanging there, looking at her with love and compassion. This powerful imagery evokes a deep emotional response in the singer, leading her to weep and weep.
The singer realizes that true love is found in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. She acknowledges that Jesus wanted her attention, love, and affections. His arms were wide open, His heart exposed, and He was bleeding for her. This revelation causes the singer to surrender herself completely to Jesus, recognizing that He deserves her love and devotion.
The Meaning of the Song
Arms Wide Open speaks of the transformative power of encountering Jesus' love. The song emphasizes that love is not merely a romantic or self-centered emotion but a selfless and sacrificial act. The singer's encounter with Jesus on the cross compels her to reevaluate her understanding of love and surrender herself to Him completely.
The inspiration and story behind the song are not explicitly mentioned in the lyrics. However, it is evident that the song draws from the biblical narrative of Jesus' crucifixion and His ultimate act of love for humanity. The lyrics capture the intimate and personal experience of encountering Jesus and realizing the depth of His love.
Biblical Analysis
To critically analyze the biblical accuracy of Arms Wide Open, we will examine the main messages of the song and compare them with biblical teachings.
1. Love as Sacrifice: The song highlights the sacrificial nature of love, drawing from Jesus' crucifixion. This aligns with biblical teachings, as Jesus Himself said, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:13). The concept of sacrificial love is central to Christianity and is exemplified by Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
2. Surrendering to Jesus: The song encourages listeners to surrender themselves to Jesus and acknowledge Him as Lord. This is consistent with biblical teachings that call for believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). Surrendering to Jesus is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, and the song effectively conveys this message.
3. Love as the Essence of Christianity: The song emphasizes that love is the defining characteristic of Christianity. This aligns with numerous biblical passages, such as 1 Corinthians 13:13, which states, "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." Love is the central theme throughout the New Testament and is considered the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-39).
4. The Emotional Response to God's Love: The song reflects the intense emotional response that the singer experiences upon encountering Jesus' love. While emotions can be a genuine expression of worship, it is important to note that emotions alone do not determine the authenticity of one's faith. True worship encompasses both heartfelt emotions and a deep commitment to follow and obey God (John 4:23-24).
Overall, Arms Wide Open aligns with biblical teachings regarding love, sacrifice, surrender, and the essence of Christianity. The song effectively communicates the transformative power of encountering Jesus' love and calls listeners to respond with wholehearted devotion.
Conclusion
Arms Wide Open by Misty Edwards is a beautiful and heartfelt worship song that explores the depths of God's love and calls believers to surrender themselves fully to Him. The song's key messages emphasize the sacrificial nature of love, the importance of surrendering to Jesus, and the centrality of love in the Christian faith. Through its biblical accuracy and emotional impact, Arms Wide Open serves as a powerful reminder of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
