I've Just Seen Jesus

The title of today's blog is actually one of my all-time favorite songs. In fact, as my wife will tell you, it's one of about 3-4 that I want sung at my funeral. Now, I'm not checking out anytime soon (unless the Lord calls me home sooner than later) but I wanted to let her know that I'd like this song sung as the 3 or 4 people in attendance remember what a nice guy Tim really was.

Or was his name Jeff? Ahhh...he was a good fellow. LOL

In all seriousness though, this song has always had a very special place in my heart. For one reason, it's an absolutely beautiful song that's been made famous by who sings it: Sandi Patti and Larnell Harris. When these 2 get together and sing any of their patented duets, it's almost like you can hear the angels of Heaven singing in celebration of Jesus. Whether it's "I've Just Seen Jesus" or "More Than Wonderful", these 2 singers have an absolute dynamic chemistry & sound that really lifts my spirits whenever I hear them together.

Another reason it's so special for me is that it's written by Bill & Gloria Gaither, 2 of the most revered gospel songwriters in the 20th century. With songs like "He Touched Me", "Because He Lives", "Something About That Name", "Worthy The Lamb", "Get All Excited", "Then Came The Morning", "Let Freedom Ring" and literally hundreds others, the Gaithers have an exquisite way to communicate the love of God through their powerful lyrical storytelling.

But the one reason that this song means so much to me is it's a song we can all take literally and feel like we were there when Mary saw Jesus after He'd just risen from the dead. We can imagine what it'd have been like when He appeared to the disciples in the upper room that day, calming their fears and confirming their belief in Him...that He was and IS the Messiah. The lyrics are also ones that each and everyone one of us can recite and believe that no matter who we are or what we've been through, the blood of Jesus has washed us, saved us and cleansed us from all our sin!

"We knew He was dead, it is finished He said and we watched as His life ebbed away...
So we all stood around 'til the guards took Him down, Joseph begged for His body that day...
It was late afternoon when we got to the tomb, wrapped His body and sealed up the grave...
Well I know how you feel, His death was SO real but please listen and hear what I say..."

"I've just seen Jesus, I tell you He's alive!
I've just seen Jesus, our precious Lord alive!
And I knew He really saw me too
It was as if 'til now I'd never lived...

(now here's where I begin to really get blessed)

All that I'd done before won't matter anymore
I've just seen Jesus and I'll never be the same again!"

"It was His voice she first heard, those kind gentle words asking what was her reason for tears...
And I sobbed in despair 'My Lord is not there'
He said 'Child, it is I, I am here!"

"I've just seen Jesus, I tell you He's alive!
I've just seen Jesus, our precious Lord alive!
And I knew He really saw me too, as if 'til now I'd never lived
All that I'd done before, won't matter anymore
I've just seen Jesus and I'll never be the same again...

I've just seen Jesus!"

Can you imagine the joy and excitement of literally seeing the risen Lord standing there in front of you? Don't you wonder about the thrill of being able to see, feel and touch Him, knowing that only days before He had died a cruel death on the cross...yet now, here He was...ALIVE!!

And now, today, this very moment, the truth of knowing Jesus Christ rose from the dead and forgives us all of our sins...we can ALL be assured that no matter what we've done before, NONE of it will matter anymore for we have seen Jesus and we have that blessed hope of living and knowing Him for all eternity!!

Praise God for the promise of eternal life through the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ!!

He's alive...forever and ever amen!