John Mark McMillan is one of the few Christian artists, in my opinion, who breaks the traditionally cheesy mold of worship music. And for that reason I revere him as one of the greatest lyricists around today.
This song especially illustrates that for me. Out of all his music, this song is the most theologically gripping one for me as it consistently puts a lump in my throat when I think about the words.
The reference to being "the cripple at Your table" is a nod to Mephibosheth from 2 Samuel 9 where King David sought out any living descendant of Jonathan. When David found one, even though Mephibosheth was a cripple, David restored him his grandfather's land and said that he would always be welcome at his table, even though he, personally, did nothing to earn it. I love that.
This is just my take on it, but when he says "I'm a dead man now with a ghost who lives within the confines of these carbon ribs," I take it to be talking about how we've died to ourselves. Our lives are living sacrifices because our purpose is bigger than ourselves, but all we can offer God is our body and the time we have, even though He's offered us so much more.
John Mark McMillan is one of the few Christian artists, in my opinion, who breaks the traditionally cheesy mold of worship music. And for that reason I revere him as one of the greatest lyricists around today.
This song especially illustrates that for me. Out of all his music, this song is the most theologically gripping one for me as it consistently puts a lump in my throat when I think about the words.
The reference to being "the cripple at Your table" is a nod to Mephibosheth from 2 Samuel 9 where King David sought out any living descendant of Jonathan. When David found one, even though Mephibosheth was a cripple, David restored him his grandfather's land and said that he would always be welcome at his table, even though he, personally, did nothing to earn it. I love that.
This is just my take on it, but when he says "I'm a dead man now with a ghost who lives within the confines of these carbon ribs," I take it to be talking about how we've died to ourselves. Our lives are living sacrifices because our purpose is bigger than ourselves, but all we can offer God is our body and the time we have, even though He's offered us so much more.
Such a good song.