Shane & Shane - Power of The Cross Lyrics
Lyrics
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
This, the power 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
Every bitter thought
Every evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow
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 victory cry
Oh, the power of the cross
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven
We stand forgiven
We stand forgiven
We stand
We stand forgiven
We stand forgiven
We stand forgiven
We stand
We stand
We stand
We stand
We stand
We stand
We stand
We stand
We stand
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
This, the power of the cross
Son of God slain for us
What a love, what a cost
We stand forgiven at the cross
Video
Power Of The Cross [Acoustic] - Shane & Shane
Meaning & Inspiration
The song "Power of the Cross" by Shane & Shane presents a profound contemplation of Christ's sacrifice and its redemptive impact. It opens by setting a somber scene, recounting the events leading to the crucifixion. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Jesus on the road to Calvary, enduring trials, suffering physical abuse, and ultimately being nailed to a cross. This initial depiction establishes the immense human cost and suffering involved in this pivotal historical and theological event, highlighting the darkness and pain of that day.
Following this depiction of the suffering, the song introduces its central theme in the chorus: "This, the power of the cross, Christ became sin for us." This declaration encapsulates the core Christian belief in substitutionary atonement – that Jesus, though sinless, bore the sins of humanity and endured the divine wrath intended for us. The powerful conclusion of the chorus, "We stand forgiven at the cross," directly links Christ's action to the resulting state of believers, emphasizing that forgiveness and reconciliation with God are achieved solely through His work on the cross.
The narrative continues by focusing on the emotional and spiritual weight Christ carried. The lyrics describe seeing the pain on His face as He bore the "awesome weight of sin," detailing how every negative human act and thought contributed to His suffering, even to the point of crowning His brow. This verse underscores the comprehensive nature of the sin Christ took upon himself, encompassing the entirety of human failing and rebellion against God.
The song then vividly portrays the dramatic moments surrounding Christ's death, drawing from biblical accounts. As daylight fades, the ground trembles, symbolizing creation's reaction to the death of its Maker. Key events like the temple curtain tearing and the dead being raised are mentioned, pointing to the cosmic and supernatural significance of the crucifixion. The cry "Finished!" is highlighted as a victory cry, signifying the completion of God's redemptive plan and the defeat of sin and death, not a cry of defeat.
The chorus is repeated, reinforcing the message of the cross's power and the resulting forgiveness. The extended repetition of "We stand forgiven" and "We stand" serves to deeply impress upon the listener the certainty, security, and foundational nature of their standing before God. It is a declaration of identity and position found solely in the finished work of Christ, emphasizing the firmness and permanence of this state of grace.
The final verse shifts to a deeply personal perspective. The lyric "Oh, to see my name written in the wounds" expresses the profound connection between Christ's suffering and the individual believer's liberation. It underscores the personal relevance of the cross – that His agony was endured for *us*, leading to our freedom from sin's bondage and the power of death. The concluding lines celebrate the triumph over death and the gift of new life received through Christ's "selfless love," cementing the idea that this new life is a direct result of His sacrificial act. The final chorus restates the power and cost of the cross, specifically identifying Christ as the "Son of God slain for us," reinforcing the divine significance of the sacrifice and reiterating that our standing is "forgiven at the cross." The acoustic nature of the 2020 recording would likely enhance the contemplative and raw emotional impact of these lyrics, allowing the profound message to resonate deeply with the listener.