Ea Le Galuwe

That blood flowed because of me
that body was broken because of me
the Son of God died because of me
today I am redeemed because of Jesus

Nailed to the cross,
the Son of God died,
he offered up the sacrifice
if only I believe,
I will gain life forever

On that third day
the rock was split,
he rose up from death
if only I accept him,
I will gain life forever

This is a compact hymn that holds the entire gospel, the death and resurrection of Jesus, together with the personal response it calls for. Like several Passion hymns, its first verse hammers the word “me”: “that blood flowed because of me, that body was broken because of me, the Son of God died because of me.” And then the turn: “today I am redeemed because of Jesus.” The whole transaction of the cross is put in the most personal terms possible.

The second verse states the death simply and without flinching, “nailed to the cross, the Son of God died, he offered up the sacrifice,” and then adds the condition that makes it good news for the singer: “if only I believe, I will gain life forever.” Faith is the door through which the sacrifice becomes one’s own.

The final verse turns to Easter morning. “On that third day the rock was split, he rose up from death,” recalling the stone rolled away from the empty tomb. And once more the invitation follows: “if only I accept him, I will gain life forever.” What the listener is left with is the heart of Christian hope in miniature, a Saviour who died and rose, and a promise held out to anyone willing to believe and accept him: eternal life, forever.