The Power of the Cross

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.

CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—

We stand forgiven at the cross.
 

The Story Behind the Song

"The Power of the Cross" is a meditation on the sufferings of Christ.

Over the past couple of years, we have been working through the Apostles Creed and writing hymns teaching the fundamental beliefs of Christianity.

The Creed teaches that 'He suffered under Pontius Pilate', and in communion we are commanded to 'remember his death 'til he comes'. In the New Testament, Paul and the Apostles often preached and prayed in more detailed and visual ways about the cross, turning all of our senses to Christ's sufferings and their significance.

Stuart and I considered how the reality of His sufferings should penetrate our worship services and were challenged by the need to explain the overwhelming significance and implications these have for our lives. In our congregational worship the sufferings of Christ have often only been given a surface glance and it is hardly surprising that the theological meaning often remains confused:

'This the power of the cross

Christ became sin for us

Took the blame, bore the wrath

We stand forgiven at the cross.'

Our hope is that the hymn; "The Power of the Cross" will be a resource to the church as a declaration of what we believe; a challenging reflection on Christ's sufferings and a powerful song for Easter or Communion services.

It is also our hope that people will be challenged again by the wonder and the power of the cross.

Click here to view the words of the song and listen to a sample on the Gettymusic web site

(the full words are not shown on our web site due to copyright restrictions)

Wetherden Baptist Church, Elmswell Road, Wetherden, Suffolk, IP14 3LN

See, what a morning

My heart is filled with thankfulness

Hear the call of the Kingdom

Joy has dawned

Across the lands

From the breaking of the dawn