He Lives!

The Pastor's Windshield for April 23, 2023

Sometimes, a person’s name just seems to match their calling in life. Samuel Medley is one example. We know Medley as a Christian hymn-writer (more on that in a minute), but as a young adult, Medley rejected his faithful upbringing. 

Samuel Medley was an Englishman who lived from 1738-1799. As a teenager, he enlisted in the Royal Navy. In a battle with the French in 1759, Medley was severely wounded. The prospect of having his leg amputated drove Medley back to the Lord in repentance. After a night spent in prayer, the doctor re-examined him the next morning and announced that the condition of his wounded leg had greatly improved. 

Not only was Medley’s leg spared, but also his soul. He returned home to recuperate, and through his grandfather’s encouragement, joined a Baptist church. Medley also married and devoted himself to studying sacred and classical literature. Several years later, he began preparing for a career in ministry. He served congregations in Watford (near London) and in Liverpool.

Medley put his literary abilities to work in composing hymns. His first hymnbook was published in 1789. One of his compositions is the Easter hymn, “I Know that My Redeemer Lives.” This beloved hymn is an English paraphrase of a similar hymn by the German Lutheran hymnwriter, Paul Gerhardt. Gerhardt’s hymn also used the phrase “He lives!” multiple times, as does Medley’s hymn. The primary basis for the hymn is a passage in Job 19:25-27: 

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!”

Despite his horrendous suffering, Job looked forward by faith to the day when he would see his living Lord face-to-face in the flesh. Job’s hope is also ours. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we too can sing, “I Know that My Redeemer Lives!” and look forward to our resurrection on the Last Day.

Both Gerhardt’s German hymn and Medley’s English hymn included nine stanzas, as shown below. (The fifth stanza is not included in the Lutheran Service Book hymnal.) I encourage you to take some time to read and reflect on the words of this beloved hymn. Over and over, it declares to you the Good News that your Jesus lives! He lives to save you from your sins, and He lives to do so much more. Each line of the hymn provides a different example of Christ’s work as your personal Redeemer. Use the hymn’s words to shape your prayers of thanksgiving and supplication to your Lord …

1     I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living head.

2     He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives all-glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.

3     He lives to bless me with His love;
He lives to plead for me above;
He lives my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to help in time of need.

4     He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with His eye;
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

Original 5th Stanza: 

He lives to crush the Pow’rs of Hell, He lives that He may in me dwell,

He lives to heal, and make me whole, He lives to guard my feeble Soul.

6     He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.

7     He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

8     He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

9     He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!

Is there a particular line that stands out to you at this time? Perhaps dwell on that one and let it inspire your prayers. At some point in the future, or perhaps when you sing this hymn again next Easter season, another verse or phrase might connect with you as you continue to reflect on all that you Jesus lives to do for your as your Savior!

I look forward to hearing this beautiful medley and singing the powerful words of “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” with you this Sunday, April 23, 2023.

Peace in Christ,

                        Pastor Kory Janneke