Austin Stone Worship - Jesus Lifted High Lyrics + Chords
Lyrics
Chorus:
I want to see Jesus lifted high
Verse 1:
Though I may suffer for a while,
I have a hope that's undefiled
I see the part but not the whole,
I know this world is not my home
Verse 2:
I only have one hope to hold,
Where sin is crushed and hearts unfold
This King who died and took my place,
He stood and walked out of the grave
He stood and walked out of the grave
Bridge:
You get the last word, You always do
You know the best way, You always move
You have the best heart, You always will be lifted high
Video
Jesus Lifted High (LIVE) | Austin Stone Worship
Meaning & Inspiration
Austin Stone Worship delivers a profoundly moving and doctrinally rich declaration with their song "Jesus Lifted High," released on February 12, 2021, as part of the "Vol 1" album. From its very first breath, the song zeroes in on a singular, unwavering desire: to see Christ exalted above all else. This isn't merely a passive wish but an active yearning, rooted in the truth of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished. The central plea, to see Jesus lifted high, immediately resonates with the biblical call for His ultimate honor, reflecting passages like John 12:32 where Jesus declares that when He is lifted up, He will draw all people to Himself, and the prophetic vision in Isaiah 6:1 of the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted.
The initial verse courageously acknowledges the reality of present hardship: "Though I may suffer for a while," a poignant and relatable truth for any follower of Christ navigating a broken world. Yet, this recognition of temporal pain is swiftly countered by an unshakable assurance: "I have a hope that's undefiled." This isn't a fragile, fleeting optimism but a steadfast confidence, echoing Peter’s description in 1 Peter 1:3-4 of a living hope, an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. The song then touches upon our limited earthly understanding, stating, "I see the part but not the whole," a beautiful nod to 1 Corinthians 13:12 where we are reminded that our current perception is incomplete, seeing only a reflection dimly. This human limitation naturally leads to the profound truth, "I know this world is not my home," aligning with the perspective of pilgrims and exiles described in Hebrews 11:13-16 and Philippians 3:20, whose true citizenship resides in heaven.
Moving into the second verse, the song solidifies its theological foundation, articulating that "I only have one hope to hold." This exclusive focus on Christ as the singular source of hope is a cornerstone of Christian faith, reminding us of Colossians 1:27, "Christ in you, the hope of glory," and the declaration in Acts 4:12 that there is salvation in no one else. This hope brings about a transformative reality "where sin is crushed and hearts unfold." Here, the song beautifully encapsulates Christ's victory over sin, as celebrated in Romans 6:6, where our old self was crucified with Him to break sin's power, and the promise of new life where hardened hearts are replaced with hearts responsive to God, a theme richly explored in Ezekiel 36:26. The verse culminates in the glorious declaration of Christ's redemptive work: "This King who died and took my place, He stood and walked out of the grave." This encapsulates the core gospel message—substitutionary atonement, where Jesus bore our sins (Isaiah 53:5), and His triumphant resurrection, the definitive proof of His deity and power over death (Romans 1:4, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The bridge serves as a powerful affirmation of God’s absolute sovereignty and unwavering character. "You get the last word, You always do" speaks to God’s ultimate authority and final victory, reminiscent of Revelation 21:6, where God declares, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega." This is further reinforced by the truth that "You know the best way, You always move," highlighting His perfect wisdom and providence, as believers are encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 to trust in the Lord with all their heart rather than leaning on their own understanding. The bridge concludes by celebrating God’s benevolent nature and eternal worthiness: "You have the best heart, You always will be lifted high." This final line brings the song full circle, reinforcing the chorus’s declaration with the unassailable truth of God’s loving character (1 John 4:8) and His rightful, eternal exaltation. "Jesus Lifted High" is not just a song; it's a profound theological reflection set to music, a vibrant testament to the believer's enduring hope, the finished work of Christ, and the ultimate sovereignty of God, inviting all who hear to join in lifting Jesus high above every circumstance and challenge.