Five Lessons from the Resurrection
Christian Gellert was the son of a Lutheran minister who studied theology and seemed bound for the ministry himself. However, his poor health redirected his path toward academia and Gellert became a professor of poetry and rhetoric in Leipzig, Germany. Many famous poets flourished under his tutelage including Goethe and Lessing. Gellert’s moral character and attention to his students made him a favorite not only in the school, but also in the larger community. His poetry enjoyed popularity despite its didactic nature. In “Jesus Lives, and So Shall I” we have five lessons on the resurrection from a loving and well respected teacher.

Lesson 1 – Jesus Lives, and So Shall I
John 14:19 – After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.

Corinthians 15:54-57 – O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting? …thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lesson 2 – Ever Living, Ever Reigning
2 Timothy 2:12 – If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

Lesson 3 – Ever to His Glory Living
Philippians 1:6 – For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Lesson 4 – Naught from Him My Heart Can Sever
Romans 8:38-39 – For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lesson 5 – Courage, Then, My Soul
James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

ZUVERSICHT – Confidence
The title of the tune is the same as the last line of every verse. JESUS MEINE ZUVERSICHT is the original German for “Jesus is my hope and trust.” A direct translation for Zuversicht into English is “confidence.” No doubt, it was easier to rhyme with “hope and trust” than with “confidence” and both translations carry similar meaning. However, the strong conviction and German straight-forwardness in the phrase “Jesus is my confidence” fits well with phrases like, “God has promised – be it must” and “Thou shalt find thy hopes were just.”

Psalm 71:4-5 – Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked,
Out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man,
For You are my hope;
O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth.