Third Day – Cry Out to Jesus

Third Day was an American rock band whose name derived from Jesus’ resurrection on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4).  They recently broke up, giving their farewell tour ending in June 2018.

Third Day released 17 albums (including 1 Christmas) and three EP’s.

They have won numerous Grammy and Dove awards for their work, too many to list here.

Also, check out my review of Soul on Fire.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Third-day-cry-out-to-jesus-lyrics.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

This song identifies various people who experience hardship.  This includes losing a loved one, general burdens, strained marriage, addiction, and homeless.  Third day suggests that these people run into the arms of Jesus, receiving mercy and forgiveness alongside internal peace and freedom from their suffering.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

This song is completely Scriptural.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-4: This describes a feeling that, for those of us whose loved ones died, could identify with.  While I initially thought lines 1 and 2 goes against Hebrews 9:27 (I should have also included James 4:13-16), lines 3 and 4 qualifies it as sentiment rather than an objective truth claim.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-4: Once again, these emotions are normal.  Yet, Third Day speaks to such people and will offer a glimmer of hope.

[Chorus]

Lines 1-7: Third Day recommends that we take Jesus up on His offer, that we come to Jesus with our weariness so that He can give us rest (Matthew 11:28-30).  If we trust Him, He will also grant us grace (Genesis 15:6, Exodus 33:19, Psalm 32:1-2, Romans 3:21-24, Romans 4:3-8, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 5:15-21, Romans 6:14, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 9:14-16, Romans 11:5-6, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:6, Galatians 5:4, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:4-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, Titus 2:11, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, and James 2:23 ) and forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28, Act 2:38, Act 5:31, Act 10:43, Romans 4:7, Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Colossians 2:13-14, James 5:15, James 5:19-20, 1 John 2:1-2, and 1 John 2:12).  He meets us where we are, dying while we were sinners (Romans 5:6-8).

Side Note: Perhaps I’m the only one, but I’ve never looked up these lyrics until this review!  I thought Third Day said, “Crowds of Jesus”, which didn’t make much sense to me until I realized my mistake.

[Verse 3]

Lines 1-4: Jesus is also in the business of restoring marriage, so long as both parties obey Jesus (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

[Verse 4]

Lines 1-4: None of us are immune to addiction except for Jesus.  Isolation keeps us there, which is partly why it’s not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18).  God will provide a way out, but we have to choose to receive it (1 Corinthians 10:13).  Sometimes these come in the form of accountability partnerships and Christ-centered support groups.

[Bridge]

Lines 1-4: Combines Verse 4 with the end of Chorus.

[Verse 5]

Lines 1-4: This reminds me of James 1:27, where it talks about pure and undefiled religion is to look after widows and orphans in their distress and to keep one’s self unpolluted by the world.  Prayer is one way to accomplish that goal.

[Outro]

Lines 1 and 2: Essentially repeats Chorus, line 7.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Those who do not yet follow Jesus will easily recognize its Christian influence. Chiefly, that it explicitly calls them to “cry out to Jesus” whenever they are hurt, broken, weary, enslaved by sin, or without a home. Third Day’s usage of everyday language makes this interpretation easy for outsiders to Christianity.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that this song compels us to trust Jesus with our problems.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Third Day’s Cry Out to Jesus is great.  It pleads with unbelievers and reminds believers to run towards Jesus, giving Him our issues and hangups, easily understood by everyone.  This glorifies God.

This song is inspirational, but not appropriate for corporate worship.  Yes, it calls us to cry out to Jesus, but it’s more an appeal to the lost than it worships the King of kings.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Cry Out to Jesus (listen to the song)

Artist: Third Day

Album: Wherever You Are

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2005

Duration: 4:43

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