This is a hymn that is from my generation (written in 1995). Every stanza of this hymn reminds me of some passage of Scripture. Here are three examples. First, the stanza above clearly draws from Galatians 6:14. We also hear allusions to the last words of Christ on the cross (Matt. 27:46, and John 19:30). Several parts weave in and out of Isaiah 52-53.

The lyrics communicate two great truths. First, the magnitude of the Father’s love. My own love, my own sacrifice (whatever little I’ve sacrificed), my own accomplishments—they are all nothing. The Father’s love, Christ’s sacrifice—they are as big as the universe.

There’s a second truth though. And it’s seen in the line, “bring many sons to glory.” It’s also seen in, “his dying breath has brought me life.” Here’s the truth: our boast is not just in his death but in his resurrection. And there’s no reason that God should do this for me: “Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer.” But I love the assurance (“this I know with all my heart”) that it is based on God’s grace, not our merit.

Being in my early 60’s now, I must confess that I do think about death from time to time. My own father died in his mid-70’s. Many things give me comfort though. One is 2 Peter 3:10-13, which reminds me to not fall in love with this present world around me, since it will be dissolved. The second is this hymn (including two or three others). There is such great hope, and assurance, in Christ. Because he lives... all fear of death is gone.