KDMusic – Freedom’s Slave

Easter is a time to reflect on Jesus’ lovingkindness towards us.  He paid an incredible price to become one of us, die for our lawbreaking, and rose again, defeating death and offering us hope.  It’s also a time to reflect on lyrics that contain these themes.  For this year, I’ve chosen to examine Freedom’s Slave, written by a friend of mine, David Whitcroft of KDMusic.  I gave a glowing review of his song The Grace.

David Whitcroft is a songwriter who has a heart for Bible-centered lyrics, written for the local church.  His songs are specifically designed to prepare our hearts for authentic worship.  He collaborates with other artists from Christian events in Northern Ireland to co-write and produce his songs.

He released one album: Sunshine for Rainy Days.

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?

KDMusic makes several points in poetic fashion about Jesus and man:

Jesus

• Willingly subjected Himself to two humiliations: becoming a man and His death on a cross to pay for our sins
• Was worshipped by the same people who called for His death
• Illumination that defeats shadows
• Rose again and ascended to the Father’s right hand, defeating death
• Is the Prince of Life
• Rules over all earthly kingdoms
• Provides the way to escape temptation

Man

• Christ’s closest disciples ran away at His greatest hour of need
• These disciples hid from the Jews who killed Jesus, afraid to die
• Will inherit eternal life if they forsake folly and cling onto Jesus

Score: 10/10

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

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

The Son of God to the cross has gone

Jesus was crucified (Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-41, Luke 23:33-49, and John 19:16-30).

His closest friends have scattered

Jesus prophecied in Mark 14:27 and John 16:32, that His disciples and Apostles would flee, fulfilled in Mark 14:50.

Triumphant welcomes distant fade

The week before Jesus was arrested, He was celebrated and revered by Israelites, known today as “Palm Sunday” (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19).  The same people yelled for His crucifixion (Matthew 27:16-26, Mark 15:7-15, Luke 23:18-25, and John 19:1-15).

God’s earthly rule seems shattered
Where O God is the justice here
For those who longed to follow
The hope he offered drowns in tears
And heartless dawns tomorrow

This is precisely how Jesus’ closest followers felt after Jesus died.  They ran away in hiding, afraid that they were next (John 20:19).

[Verse 2]

But wait this tale has more to tell
Than force’s domination
His light of silent dignity
Shines through humiliation

Jesus is the light that drives out darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).  Thus, His light will not be snuffed out after physical death. Philippians 2:6-8 describes Christ’s double-humiliation, that is, becoming flesh and bearing the consequences of our disobedience.

Death on Him is not imposed

Jesus’ death happened not because it was forced upon Him, but because He willingly offered Himself on our behalf (Matthew 26:39, John 10:18, Romans 5:19, Galatians 3:13, Philippians 2:8, and Titus 2:13-14).

Whose power exceeds all kingdoms

Jesus rules over the world’s earthly governments.  He is the King of kings (1 Timothy 6:13-16, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:11-16).

Obedience to death he chose
A slave to serve our freedom

See line 5.

[Verse 3]

And now this glorious Prince of Life

The title “Prince of Life” comes from Acts 3:15.

Does more than teach examples
As He ascends to His throne above

Though Jesus taught through parables, He did more than merely teach. He also rose again (Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8) and ascended (Luke 24:51, John 8:28, John 12:32, John 20:17, Acts 1:12, and Ephesians 4:8-10) to the right hand of the Father (Matthew 22:44, Acts 2:33, Acts 7:55–56, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 8:1, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22, and Revelation 3:21).

All sin and hell lie trampled
Where O death is your victory
Since Jesus overwhelmed you
God’s silent revolution’ry
Has once for all expelled you

Jesus defeated the power of hell and sin through His death and resurrection, that is, death itself (Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, Luke 20:35-36, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, 2 Timothy 1:10, and Hebrews 2:14).

[Verse 4]

Come share the joy of an empty grave
That fills to overflowing
And face your fears in the certainty
Of your own resurrection

KDMusic invites their audience to receive Christ (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13-17), where they will be spiritually resurrected to life with Jesus (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

Though our hearts are scarred and frail
Through darkness he is leading
To stand against His enemies

All of us have broken God’s laws (Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3, Job 15:14, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, and 1 John 1:8-10).  Yet, it was in our sin that Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8), leading us from temptation to obedience (Matthew 6:13, Matthew 26:41, and 1 Corinthians 10:13).

And enter life and healing

Those who choose to receive Jesus will inherit eternal life (Mark 10:29-30, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 5:24, John 5:39-40, John 6:27, John 6:40, John 10:28, John 17:3, John 20:31, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:22-23, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Galatians 6:8, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:11, Hebrews 5:9, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 John 2:23-27, 1 John 5:10-13, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:20-21, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 7:16-17, and Revelation 21:3-4), healed from our spiritual brokenness (see commentary on lines 1-4).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

This song contains a healthy mix of Christianese and plain language, with the plain explaining the Christianese. KDMusic’s opening lines contain references to the Son of God and the cross, making it easy for unbelievers to comprehend its Christian roots.

Unbelievers will likely conclude that Christians believe that Jesus rules over the world, humiliated Himself by dying on the cross for them, and rose again, ascending to heaven. Though they might raise a few eyebrows at the word “slave”, KDMusic explains that Jesus’ slavery was His choice. It was not forced upon Him. KDMusic’s final Verse pleads to them, that they would become Christ-followers.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus that His sacrifice makes forgiveness of sins possible for those who choose to receive it.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

KDMusic’s Freedom’s Slave is wonderful.  It contains all the elements that one would expect to see in a typical Easter Sunday: The death, burial, and resurrected of Jesus.  It also makes references to Christ’s double-humiliation, rulership, worship, and provision to escape temptation, glorifying Him.  KDMusic ends their song by appealing to unbelievers, that they would receive Christ.  Unbelievers should have little to no problems interpreting this song.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship. Especially during next year’s Easter service.

If you’re interested in sheet music for this song, download it for free.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Freedom’s Slave (listen to the song)

Artist: KDMusic

Album: Sunshine for Rainy Days

Genre: Hymn

Release Year: 2019

Duration: 4:22

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*Copyright © 2019 KDMusic. All rights reserved. Used by permission.