Card received Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Religious Studies from Western Kentucky University. His studies in physics and astronomy allowed him to support himself while a student by working for six years at a planetarium. As of 2005, he is working on a Ph.D. in Classical Literature.
Why?
Michael Card Lyrics
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Who chose to betray the Lord
Why did he use a kiss to show them
That's not what a kiss is for
Only a friend can betray a friend
A stranger has nothing to gain
And only a friend comes close enough
And why did there have to be thorny
Crown pressed upon His head
It should have been the royal one
Made of jewels and gold instead
It had to be a crown of thorns
Because in this life that we live
For all who seek to love
A thorn is all the world has to give
And why did it have to be
A heavy cross He was made to bare
And why did they nail His feet and hands
His love would have held Him there
It was a cross for on a cross
A thief was supposed to pay
And Jesus had come into the world
To steal every heart away
Yes, Jesus had come into the world
To steal every heart away
The lyrics to Michael Card's "Why?" pose poignant questions about the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. The first stanza is particularly striking, as it laments the betrayal of Jesus by one of His closest confidantes. The reference to the kiss is significant, as it alludes to Judas Iscariot's infamous act of identifying Jesus to the soldiers who would ultimately arrest and try Him. The lyrics muse on the nature of friendship, pointing out that only a friend can truly betray someone, and that it is only through the trust and closeness that friendship entails that such a deep wound can be inflicted.
The second stanza turns to the details of Jesus' execution, asking why a thorny crown was placed on His head when it should have been one of jewels and gold. The answer is stark: because the world can only offer pain and hardship, and for those who seek to love, that is all there is to receive. The final stanza asks why Jesus had to bear a heavy cross, have His hands and feet nailed to it, and suffer the torturous death that He did. The lyrics suggest that it is because Jesus had come to steal the hearts of all people, and that He knew that His sacrifice was necessary for that mission to be accomplished.
Line by Line Meaning
Why did it have to be a friend
Only a trusted friend has the power to betray someone they are closest to.
Who chose to betray the Lord
His betrayer, like many who gain from doing wrong, did it out of choice.
Why did he use a kiss to show them
A kiss of love was used to deceive and reveal the Lord's identity to His enemies.
That's not what a kiss is for
A kiss should be a loving gesture between friends, but in this betrayal, it was used to harm.
Only a friend can betray a friend
True betrayal can only come from someone who is close to you and whom you trust.
A stranger has nothing to gain
A stranger does not have any incentives to betray someone because they do not have any relationship or investment with them.
And only a friend comes close enough
The betrayal of Jesus came from someone who was close enough to approach Him and deceive Him.
To ever cause so much pain
Only a betrayal by a friend can cause significant and painful emotional harm.
And why did there have to be thorny
Jesus was subjected to a painful and mocking crown of thorns that was only meant to hurt and humiliate Him.
Crown pressed upon His head
His tormentors wanted to make Him suffer and belittle His status as King of the Jews.
It should have been the royal one
A King should have been crowned with items that conveyed richness and royalty.
Made of jewels and gold instead
Jesus, who is the King of Kings, deserved a crown made of precious jewels and gold.
It had to be a crown of thorns
The crown of thorns was a symbol of the pain and hurt that the world gives to those who seek to love like Jesus.
Because in this life that we live
In this world, people are hurt and attacked for showing love and kindness which is what happened to Jesus.
For all who seek to love
Those who follow Jesus and choose to love like Him will also be mistreated and face challenges.
A thorn is all the world has to give
The world only has pains and trials to give to those who seek to love like Jesus.
And why did it have to be
Jesus was made to endure a heavy cross, which was one of the cruelest forms of punishment.
A heavy cross He was made to bare
He was forced to carry a burden that was never intended for him and was heavier than what he deserved.
And why did they nail His feet and hands
Jesus was subjected to excruciating pain that forced him to give his life as a sacrifice for others.
His love would have held Him there
He willingly stayed on the cross out of love for people and the redemption of the world.
It was a cross for on a cross
The cross, which was used as an instrument of death, became a symbol of hope and redemption for people.
A thief was supposed to pay
The punishment that was meant for a thief became the way of salvation for all humanity.
And Jesus had come into the world
Jesus came into the world out of love to redeem and transform it.
To steal every heart away
Jesus' love is powerful enough to capture every heart if one decides to follow and love Him.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MICHAEL CARD, MICHAEL J. CARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind