Because He Lives

The gospel in miniature opens this version of "Because He Lives": "God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus, He came to love, heal and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon, an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives." The naming of Jesus recalls Matthew 1:21, and the empty grave Matthew 28:6.

The chorus turns the fact into confidence: "Because He lives I can face tomorrow, because He lives all fear is gone, because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives." The logic is that of John 14:19, "because I live, you also will live."

The second verse looks toward death itself. "And then one day I'll cross that river, I'll fight life's final war with pain, and then as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives." The idea of victory over death follows 1 Corinthians 15:57, and the chorus returns to close the song with the same assurance.