The topic of death is one that can be terrifying. Without meaning to, the lack of talking about death has led most of us have learned unintentionally to fear death. This song is designed to be an anthem to reassure believers of the hope that comes from Christ alone when we look toward the end of all people – death.
There are a lot of questions that come to mind when we think of our death, or when we experience the death of a loved one. Where is the hope? How can my soul be calmed? Where can I see God’s grace and goodness? Am I still held by Christ in my doubting? All of these questions truly and fully find their answers in the person and work of Jesus. Because of the salvation and unity that has come from His death, resurrection, ascension, and pleading our sins are paid for and our futures are held in Christ. In this Gospel we see God’s amazing grace and goodness. In the assurance that comes from the seal of the Spirit we can be confident that even in our failings and our doubting that we cannot slip out of Jesus’ hands.
Philippians 1:21 says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This is the hope of a Christian. Whether we live or whether we die, we belong to God because of the blood of Jesus that was poured out for the forgiveness of all our sins.
The Heidelberg Catechism of 1563, Question and Answer 1 says:
“Q: What is our hope in life and death? A: That I am not my own, but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
What a glorious declaration of the hope that comes from Christ alone! All of life is frustrated by the reality of living in a fallen world. It is so easy to look around at the world around, or at your own life, and be discouraged by the futility of all things. We often fool ourselves either in believing that life has no purpose or that this physical life is the ultimate end to life. The Bible destroys both of those beliefs and offers us a greater end and hope.
Our only confidence comes from being held by Christ til the end. When we are held by Christ, nothing can snatch us out of His grasp!
When we look death in the face we can do so with confident hope and peace and stillness because we know that God is good. God is full of grace and love. God is faithful even in the midst of our doubts and questions. We can face death with confidence because Christ has already faced death and came out victorious. This does not mean that we will not have to face death, but it does mean that death is not the ultimate end for a Christian.
The end of the Christian life is the hope that “we will rise to meet the Lord. Then sin and death will be destroyed and we will feast in endless joy, when Christ is ours forevermore.” (verse 3) When Jesus returns and finally reveals the culmination of His plan of redemption.
Hallelujah! Our hope springs eternal! Now and forever we confess, sing loud and unashamedly, that Christ is our hope in life and death.
Scripture
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Luke 24:6-7
He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
John 10:28-30
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.
1 Corinthians 15:20-22
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Philippians 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Hebrews 1:3
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
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