The band's journey has been marked with significant milestones. In 1998, their self-titled debut on the KMG label yielded the successful Christian CHR radio single "Justified." A bittersweet honor came for the group when their song "Nothing Back" was used at the funeral of Columbine shooting victim Cassie Bernall. The song was later used in a video tribute to her life and faith. "It made us feel very humble," said John. "That song went so perfectly with what we had heard about her life. Obviously, we could've never made that happen - God just dropped the song in that teenager's life."
For John, Jason, Matt and Josh, the prayers continue - they pray that they would have more than critical or financial success - but that they would, in John's words, "impact people wherever we go. Our goal is to be faithful to enter the doors God opens for us. And our mission is to get people caught up in the excitement of walking with Christ in everyday life." That is the bottom line - According To John."
(Note: This is an abbreviated version of the biography that was available on the band's website (www.accordingtojohn.com), which is no longer in existence. The band itself also seems to have broken up to pursue other goals in life.)
For reference:
- Google "Meet According To John band"
- Under the first result click the "Cached" link
- Enjoy!
Standing Ovation
According To John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The song "Standing Ovation" by According to John tells the story of a man named Stephen who stood up for his beliefs and unwaveringly followed Jesus even in the face of death. The lyrics emphasize Stephen's faith and conviction in the Lord, even when he was faced with an angry mob that wanted to stone him for his beliefs. Stephen's story is a powerful example of what it means to stand firm in your faith, even when it isn't easy.
The chorus of the song describes the scene in heaven as Stephen looks up before he's stoned and sees a standing ovation from Jesus Christ the King, a great cloud of witnesses, and angels all singing. The song emphasizes the importance of standing up for your beliefs and being faithful to the very end, just like Stephen was. The ending of the song looks forward to heaven where the singer hopes to find Stephen and give Jesus a standing ovation in person.
Overall, "Standing Ovation" is a powerful song about faith, conviction, and standing up for what you believe in. It uses Stephen's story as an example of how to live a life that is pleasing to the Father and reminds us that we too can have a standing ovation in heaven if we remain faithful to the end.
Line by Line Meaning
There once lived a man named Stephen
The songwriter is introducing the story of Stephen, a man he had read about.
I read about him just the other day
The songwriter recently read about Stephen's story and was inspired by it.
A man of conviction
Stephen was a man who strongly believed in his faith.
Who was not afraid to stand up for what he believed
Stephen was courageous and willing to defend his faith even in the face of danger.
He knew how to please the Father
Stephen knew how to honor and worship God.
By giving all the glory to the Son
Stephen acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God and gave Him praise and honor.
With boldness he reminded the Pharisees
Stephen fearlessly confronted the Pharisees' wrongful beliefs.
This Jesus really was the Holy One
Stephen asserted that Jesus was the Holy One, the Son of God.
Before the angry mob drug him, out of the city
A violent mob dragged Stephen out of the city.
To stone him, he would not compromise
Despite the danger he faced, Stephen refused to compromise his faith.
Before the jagged edges cut him
Before he was stoned to death,
He looked up into heaven
Stephen turned his gaze towards heaven.
And when he turned his eyes, he saw a... •• Standing ovation - from Jesus Christ the King
Stephen saw a standing ovation from Jesus Christ, as he was faithful to the very end.
A standing ovation - there was a great cloud of witnesses
A great number of witnesses, including angels, celebrated and praised God for Stephen's faithfulness.
Angels all singing
Angels were among the witnesses praising God for Stephen's faithfulness.
Many would deny the Savior
There were many who denied Jesus as their Savior, even when faced with death.
When standing face to face with death
When confronted with death,
But Stephen would not deny - he was ready to die
Stephen remained faithful to his beliefs and was prepared to die for them.
He stood for Jesus, and Jesus stood for Him
Stephen stood firm in his faith, and Jesus honored him in return.
I hope that one day I will become
The songwriter expresses his desire to be like Stephen.
Half the man that Stephen was
The songwriter acknowledges Stephen's exemplary character and hopes to emulate him.
A man who is willing to stand for the Lord
The songwriter desires to be a person who is not afraid to stand up for their faith.
In everything he does
The songwriter aims to live out their faith in every aspect of their life.
I cannot wait to go to heaven
The songwriter looks forward to their future in heaven.
I'm gonna find Stephen in the crowd
The songwriter hopes to meet Stephen when they reach heaven.
That very first day
On their first day in heaven,
We'll turn our eyes on Jesus
The songwriter and Stephen will turn their gaze towards Jesus.
And join right in the praise
They will join in the worship and praise of God.
We'll be giving Him a... •• Standing ovation - for Jesus Christ the King
The songwriter and Stephen will give a standing ovation to Jesus Christ, the King of heaven.
We'll cry "Holy, Holy, Holy!
The worship and praise of God will be marked by an exclamation of His holiness.
Worthy is the Lamb!"
The songwriter and Stephen will acknowledge Jesus as the Lamb of God who is worthy of praise.
Cause He could've called ten thousand angels
Jesus could have called on angels to rescue Him from the cross.
To return Him to his Father's side
Jesus could have returned to His Father in heaven instead of suffering and dying on the cross.
But Jesus would not turn His eyes - He was ready to die
Jesus was determined to carry out His mission and die for the salvation of humanity.
He would be faithful to the very last breath.
Jesus remained faithful to His mission and His Father, even until His last breath on the cross.
For you are holy, holy, holy are you Lord my God
The songwriter declares the holiness of God and praises Him for it.
Contributed by Brooklyn F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.