Come to the Cross | Story Behind the Song

An invitational song written for Easter, which I prefer to call Resurrection Sunday, in 2005 and updated in 2021 for today’s inspirational Christian Music.

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We Need a Song for Resurrection Sunday

In 2005, while living in South Carolina, my former choir director shared her frustration with me as she was planning our Easter music. Admittedly her challenge stemmed from not finding the song with the words she was looking for. In this situation I simply asked her what would she like for the song to say, or what is her focal theme for Easter. As a result, she said I want a song that invites people to come to the Cross, something invitational but there just isn’t anything out there that fits. I suggested writing a song and she agreed. Therefore I asked a few more questions, like are there any scriptures she wanted to focus on or any specific content she would like in the song. I gathered her answers and began praying about this song. 

Meanwhile, I had a doctor’s appointment the following day after our conversation. Oddly, something in the Doctor’s office must have inspired me because the words began to flow. I wrote them on a paper towel. On the way home the melody came to me. I created a chord chart for our piano player and printed lyrics for the choir members. A dear friend named Kim, who is an amazing Southern Gospel, alto range vocalist sang the verses as a solo and the choir pipped in singing on the choruses. When I was praying through what to put on “Bigger Than Me,” I knew “Come to the Cross,” had to be on the list. I changed the key and crafted the genre to be more inspirational rather then Southern Gospel. This song continues to humble me in so many ways.

People’s Reaction to “Come To the Cross”

To my surprise in 2005, when our South Carolina choir shared this song as an altar call, the altars were completely full. Years later, on Easter 2021, in Tennessee, I shared this beautiful, more modern rendition with our congregation and a young woman gave her life to the Lord. How appropriate for this song to be on a project with the title “Bigger Than Me.” It has never been about me but about pointing others to Jesus. Certainly every artist wants to write music that is impactful. In the same vein, I am incredibly humbled to have this beautiful song reminding people to come as you are because I believe, the Cross is all I need.

Lyrics

“Come to the Cross,” featured on the Album “Bigger Than Me” (2021) | ©2005 Judith Baker (ASCAP) | Publisher LeBaker Music (ASCAP) | Music, Lyrics, Background Vocals, Production and Sound Recording by Judith Baker | All Rights Reserved