At The Foot Of The Cross – Song Story
Lyrics – At The Foot Of The Cross
At The Foot Of The Cross was written in 2008. I wrote this one after receiving prayer for healing for back pain. The young woman praying for me said that she felt that I was very burdened and prayed for me to be released from the burdens. She was the second person who had said this to me. So I decided that I needed to take this seriously.
During a time of prayer at the Christian healing mission in London one of the people praying for me felt that the Lord was cutting off all the burdens that were weighing me down. Lizzy told me about a film that called “The Mission”. (see below)
The chorus is the cry of my thankful heart. I’ve been freed from my burdens Jesus has transformed my life from the inside out through the sacrifice of the cross. I wanted a song that I could sing every day the word of God has lay down your burden and I will give you rest.
Father Gabriel (played by Jeremy Irons) ascends the mountains of Brazil to bring christianity to the natives. He is successful and brings about a golden age among them. Robert DeNiro plays a slave hunter (Mendoza) who kills his brother in a fit of rage, Fr. Gabriel’s guidance prevents his suicide. Gabriel brings Mendoza to work at his mission with the natives, and Mendoza finds peace and asks to become a priest.
There is one scene, link above, which is quite poignant and a illustrative of the way the Lord removed my burdens. In order to pay for his sins Mendoza carries a heavy load on his back up mountains to the natives. As he gets to the top of the mountain the villagers meet him there. It looks like they are going to kill him as one of the villagers picks up a knife and heads towards him. Instead the villager cuts off the straps of the baggage he’s been hauling and chucks it over the mountain top down into the river below and his burden is washed away. Mendoza weeps.
Matthew 11 verses 28 to 30
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. NASB
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” The Message
