Tuesday, April 21, 2009
John 14:19 Because I live, you shall live also.
JESUS LIVES! DEATH NO LONGER TERRIFIES US
The Leipzig professor, beloved of his students, lay dying. As the end drew near the sick man was told that he had about an hour to live. Hearing that, Christian Gellert lifted both hands and cried, "Now God be praised, only an hour!" Clearly death held no terrors for this man. With all his heart he held fast to Jesus’ promise, "Because I live, you shall live also" (John 14:19).
In fact, those were the words Gellert printed at the top of the page on which he had penned the hymn which (in English translation) begins, "JESUS LIVES! THE VICTORY’S WON!"
While Christian Gellert (1715-1769) was a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Leipzig, the focus of his heart and life was not any human view of wisdom. We are told that his unselfish and truly devout Christian lifestyle had a profound effect on his students. His was a resurrection faith that celebrated Easter by daily living in the present reality of the fact that Jesus lives.
In each stanza of his Easter hymn the author rejoices anew in what a difference it makes in the life of the believer that Christ his Lord is no longer dead but lives. He begins with the fact that Jesus' resurrection assures us that our Lord, Who has Himself defeated death, will surely keep His promise and raise all who trust in Him from their graves to live with Him forever.
Because Christ our Savior has risen triumphant, we can confess with the Apostle Paul that death no longer strikes fear in our hearts (1 Cor 15:55-57), for death has been abolished (2 Tim 1:10). We too can say and sing:
Jesus lives! The victory's won!
Death no longer can appall me;
Jesus lives! Death's reign is done!
From the grave Christ will recall me.
Brighter scenes will then commence;
This shall be my confidence.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 201:1)
