West Coast Baptist College - 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.
This, the power of the cross:
Christ became sin for us,
Took the blame, bore the wrath:
We stand forgiven at the cross.
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, 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.
The cross.
The cross.
The cross.
Video
The Power of the Cross
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on June 1, 2011, as the title track from their album *Power of the Cross*, West Coast Baptist College offers a profoundly moving and theologically rich exploration of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. This composition transcends a simple hymn, functioning instead as a narrative journey, compelling those who encounter it to reflect deeply on the very foundation of their faith. At its core, the song unflinchingly portrays the suffering and victory of Jesus Christ, making His atoning work on the cross not merely a historical event, but a living, redemptive truth.
The lyrical journey begins by immersing us in the solemn dawn of that darkest day, visualizing Christ’s agonizing road to Calvary. It paints a stark picture of His trials at the hands of sinful men, His brutal beating, and the eventual nailing to the cross. This opening stanza grounds the narrative in the historical accounts found in the Gospels, particularly Matthew 27 and John 19, setting the stage for the immense spiritual weight about to be unfolded. It’s a powerful invitation to witness the physical and emotional prelude to redemption, demanding our solemn attention to the cost.
The recurring declaration, "This, the power of the cross: Christ became sin for us, Took the blame, bore the wrath: We stand forgiven at the cross," forms the unbreakable theological anchor of the entire piece. This truth, central to Christian doctrine, finds profound resonance in 2 Corinthians 5:21, which states, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." The song articulates that Christ's substitutionary death bore the wrath meant for humanity, offering an unmerited forgiveness made possible by His unfathomable love, a love described in Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
As the song progresses, it turns to the excruciating pain written on Christ's face, bearing the immense weight of human sin. The imagery of "every bitter thought, Every evil deed Crowning Your bloodstained brow" vividly communicates the personal and collective burden of sin that Jesus carried. This echoes the prophecy in Isaiah 53:5, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." It’s a poignant reminder that His suffering was not for His own transgressions, but for ours, a truth that magnifies the depth of His sacrifice.
The composition then moves to the climactic moments of the crucifixion: the fading daylight, the earth quaking beneath, and the Maker bowing His head. These details draw directly from the Gospel accounts (Matthew 27:45, 51; Luke 23:44-45), including the miraculous tearing of the temple curtain, symbolizing the direct access to God now available through Christ’s finished work. The resounding cry, "'Finished!' the victory cry," is a direct translation of Jesus’ last words, *Tetelestai* (John 19:30), signifying not defeat, but a triumphant completion of His redemptive mission. It’s a powerful declaration that the debt of sin has been fully paid, and salvation secured.
The final verses shift to a deeply personal reflection, inviting one to "see my name Written in the wounds," acknowledging that "through Your suffering I am free." This profound connection is drawn from the biblical truth that believers are identified with Christ’s death and resurrection, as articulated in Colossians 2:13-14, where our debt of sin is cancelled, "having nailed it to the cross." The declaration that "Death is crushed to death, Life is mine to live" speaks to the ultimate victory over sin and death promised in Hebrews 2:14-15 and Romans 6:4, offering a new life of freedom and purpose. This victory is attributed solely to Christ's selfless love, a love that endured the cross to secure eternal life for us. The concluding repetitions of "The cross" serve as a potent, minimalist affirmation, focusing all attention back to the singular, transformative event that defines Christian faith. This song is a robust theological statement, skillfully guiding the soul through the anguish of Calvary to the triumphant reality of forgiveness and new life found solely in the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ.