ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // Knowing Christ is our Redeemer brings comfort. As this stanza reminds us, we have the comfort and promise of resurrection in one, short sentence! Where we often feel the need to make Easter something more than the rest of the year, this first stanza teaches us how to give the comfort of the Gospel.
Stanza 2 // The second stanza begins what appears to be a long list. But, these are the benefits God’s people enjoy as those who have been redeemed! Christ lives that we might know victory over the grave; he lives that we might be saved from the sting of death. Though Christ rules from a heavenly throne, God’s love reaches us now, that we might know victory over death. This is what it means to be a member of Christ’s Church.
Stanza 3 // The blessings of the resurrection are not kept in heaven or found only in the announcement of life beyond death. Though this is the message of Easter, the hymn tells us what the resurrection means in the life we live today. Because Christ lives, we have “rich supply.” This does not mean abundance of possessions, but all we need for life! Christ lives to guide, comfort, and even hear our “soul’s complaint.” This is grace! The crucified Christ, who suffered for us, will listen to our complaints, our challenges, and our difficulties.
Stanza 4 // Resurrection and redemption do mean the end of difficulty in life. Knowing this, the hymn tells us Christ lives to silence our fears, wipe away our tears, and bring comfort in the midst of trouble. When we are fearful about what is to come, Jesus’ resurrection promises a certain future. When we weep over the loss of a loved one, the resurrection is our comfort beyond death. When we are troubled over our decisions or the actions of another, our Redeemer promises forgiveness. In all of this, Christ lives to bring the blessings of heaven to a troubled world!
Stanza 5 // Because of the resurrection, we know the blessings of God’s love. We know how far God’s love is willing to go - to death and through death that we might be redeemed! When the hymn says Christ lives to “plead for us above” it might sound like the resurrection isn’t enough, or that Christ continues to plead our case before God. When we confess the risen and ascended Christ sits at God’s right hand, it means he has power over all things. This means the one who pleads for us is also our judge. Because of the resurrection, all the accusations of this world are silenced, and Christ sits at God’s right hand as the one who can help us in all times of need.
Stanza 6 // The resurrection makes us so bold to call Christ - the Son of God - our friend! Because we know God’s love, we are given reason to sing. And, when we join in singing as God’s people, we sing only of our Redeemer. Finally, this stanza tells us Christ lives as our prophet [one who speaks for God; in this case, a word of forgiveness!], our priest [who, unlike the priests of Old Testament, gives us God’s favor], and our King [who reigns in mercy over all things.]
Stanza 7 // Christ’s victory over death assures us of the same. Where we often reserve Christ’s preparing a place for us at the time of death, this hymn tells us such a promise is connected to Christ’s resurrection. We do not have to wait to enjoy the blessings of this good news. Christ lives for us today, and prepares a place for us to hear this promise for all eternity.
Stanza 8 // The final stanza concludes in the way the hymn began: “I know that my Redemeer lives!” In this announcement, there is not simply hope - but assurance and joy! Because Christ lives, we shall live also.
SUGGESTIONS:
- ELW 619 - I Know That My Redeemer Lives - ᴅᴜᴋᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ
- ELW 365 - Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - ᴇᴀꜱᴛᴇʀ ʜʏᴍɴ