The passion of our Saviour
The mercy of our God
The cross that leaves no question
Of the measure of His love
Our chains are gone
Our debt is paid
The cross has overthrown the grave
For Jesus' blood that sets us free
Means death to death
And life for me
The Innocent judged guilty
While the guilty one walks free
Death would be His portion
And our portion liberty
Our chains are gone
Our debt is paid
The cross has overthrown the grave
For Jesus' blood that sets us free
Means death to death
And life for me
I give my whole life
To honour this love
By the Lamb who was slain
I'm forgiven
The sinner's Saviour
Crown Him forever
For the Lamb who was slain
He is risen
I give my whole life
To honour this love
By the Lamb who was slain
I'm forgiven
The sinner's Saviour
Crown Him forever
For the Lamb who was slain
He is risen
Our chains are gone
Our debt is paid
The cross has overthrown the grave
For Jesus' blood that sets us free
Means death to death
And life for me
Means death to death
And life for me
The Passion (Live Acoustic)
The Passion (Live Acoustic) Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on April 6, 2018, Hillsong Worship's "The Passion (Live Acoustic)" offers a profoundly intimate reflection on the central event of Christian faith: the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This acoustic rendition strips away the typical layered production often found in worship music, allowing the weight and truth of the message to stand in stark relief. The song doesn't tell a narrative story in a linear fashion, but rather serves as a meditation on the sheer magnitude of Jesus' sacrifice and the subsequent victory won on the cross, inviting those who sing or hear it into a moment of focused remembrance and awe.
The heart of the song lies in its contemplation of the 'passion' – a term derived from the Latin word for suffering. It calls to mind the brutal journey Christ undertook, from the agony in the garden to the final breath on Calvary. This suffering wasn't a random act but a purposeful one, fulfilling prophecies laid out centuries before, such as in Isaiah 53, which describes the Servant who would be "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities." The song prompts us to consider the personal cost of our redemption, echoing the truth of Romans 5:8 that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It’s a powerful reminder that the cross wasn't just an historical event, but the ultimate expression of divine love reaching down to humanity in its brokenness.
Analyzing the message further, "The Passion" doesn't dwell solely on the pain; it moves towards the triumph. The suffering endured by Christ paved the way for victory over sin and death, as powerfully articulated in 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul declares death is "swallowed up in victory." The song captures this transition, moving from the image of the cross to the reality of the resurrection and the power inherent in the blood of Jesus, which Hebrews 9 and 10 describe as the perfect sacrifice that cleanses conscience and grants access to God's presence. The acoustic setting enhances this journey, fostering a sense of vulnerability and sincerity that makes the contemplation of such weighty truths feel deeply personal. It encourages a response not of detached observation, but of engaged worship, reflecting on the radical freedom and new life offered through this act.
The stripped-down nature of the live acoustic recording serves to amplify the raw emotion and spiritual weight of the lyrics. There's nowhere to hide behind instrumentation; the voices and simple arrangement carry the full burden and glory of the message. This approach makes the song particularly effective for personal devotion or smaller group settings, where the focus can be intently on the words being sung and the reality they describe. It underscores the idea that the truth of the cross is powerful enough on its own, requiring no embellishment to impact the soul. Just as the Gospel itself is simple yet profound, this musical arrangement reflects that same principle, drawing attention directly to the finished work of Christ and its enduring significance for faith today, compelling a reflective and worshipful posture from all who encounter it.
