Colin Buchanan - He Died Upon the Cross Lyrics
Lyrics
He died upon the cross
He died upon the cross
He died upon the cross
For me, for me, for just for me.
One day when I was lost
He died upon the cross
He died upon the cross
For me, for me, for just for me.
They laid him in the grave
He rose up from the dead
He's coming back again
Video
Colin Buchanan - He Died Upon the Cross ORIGINAL CLASSIC CLIP
Meaning & Inspiration
Colin Buchanan's "He Died Upon the Cross," released as an "ORIGINAL CLASSIC CLIP" on June 24, 2020, stands as a powerful testament to the core tenets of the Christian faith, its message resonating with profound simplicity and unwavering conviction. While the melody, though effective in its purpose, takes a backseat to the profound theological weight of the lyrics, the song immediately immerses the listener in the narrative of redemption. The story behind this song, and indeed its entire raison d'être, is rooted in the foundational event of Christ's crucifixion, a sacrifice presented not as a historical footnote but as a deeply personal act of divine love. The repeated declaration, "He died upon the cross... For me, for me, for just for me," is not mere repetition but an insistent, almost breathtaking emphasis on the individual nature of this salvific act. This is not a generic offering; it is a specific, targeted atonement for each soul.
This profound personal application finds its echo throughout Scripture. Paul's letter to the Galatians speaks directly to this, proclaiming, "I know that my Savior lives and that he died on the cross for me" (a paraphrase of Galatians 2:20's "The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me"). The repetition of "for me" underscores a truth that can sometimes be lost in the grand narrative of God's plan: that the immense love and sacrifice of Jesus were poured out with each individual in mind. The transition to "One day when I was lost" further solidifies this personal connection, placing the listener in a state of spiritual aimlessness, a wilderness of their own making, where the realization of Christ's sacrifice dawns with transformative clarity. This mirrors the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15, where the shepherd rejoices over the one sheep that was found, highlighting the immense value God places on each individual soul found wandering.
The song’s theological trajectory is remarkably complete, moving beyond the crucifixion to encompass the subsequent triumph over death and the promise of Christ's return. The stark, declarative statements, "They laid him in the grave," followed immediately by "He rose up from the dead," capture the pivotal shift from defeat to victory that defines the Christian hope. This is the resurrection, the ultimate proof of Christ's divine authority and the promise of new life for believers, as articulated by Peter in his first epistle: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3). The final line, "He's coming back again," injects an element of eschatological anticipation, reminding believers of the ongoing narrative of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate fulfillment to come. This echoes the angelic message at Christ’s ascension in Acts 1:11, assuring the disciples that Jesus would return in the same way he had departed, a promise that fuels perseverance and hope for the faithful. The song, in its brevity, encapsulates the entire sweep of salvation history, from the atonement on the cross to the future hope of Christ's return, all framed through the lens of intensely personal relevance.