“He Lives”

[Nelson Bradford]

I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! ~ Revelation 1:18

It was 1932. The young Jewish man had attended the revival services for 5-6 nights. Intrigued by a statement in the sermon about the divine presence of Jesus, he stayed after the service to talk to Presbyterian evangelist, Alfred Ackley. The preacher told him the first step was to surrender his life to God by accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. The young man was direct and minced no words when he asked,

"Why should I worship a dead Jew?"

Though somewhat startled, Ackley’s answer in his own words was, “He lives! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands.” The young man was so moved that he was converted by Ackley’s emphatic, convincing reply.

These thoughts were in his mind as Alfred prepared the Easter Sunday message for his California congregation. While shaving he turned on the radio and heard a well-known liberal New York preacher say it didn’t matter to him whether Jesus had risen or not. He shouted, “It’s a lie!” so loud that his wife rushed in to see what was the matter.

Ackley preached both morning and evening services that Easter on the reality of Christ’s Resurrection. But at the end of the day he was still worked up about the student’s question and the radio preacher’s statement. His wife challenged him to write a song about his thoughts to help ease his mind.

He re-read the Biblical Resurrection account and was inspired to write the words and music to this triumphant Easter song. It first appeared in a 1933 Rodeheaver Company hymnal titled Triumphant Service Songs. And what was Alfred Ackley’s answer to the doubters?

I serve a risen Savior; He's in the world today.
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.

Refrain
He lives, He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!

- Alfred H. Ackley, 1933

Copied from“Sing to the Lord” © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company

Hymn commentary courtesy J. D. Sherrow