We knew He was dead, it is finished, He said
We had watched as His life ebbed away
Then we all stood around till 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
So 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
As if till 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
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've Just Seen Jesus Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on November 2, 2012, the song "I've Just Seen Jesus," performed by the combined talents of Larnelle Harris, David Phelps, and Lana Ranahan, arrives not merely as a musical piece, but as a powerful declaration echoing the most pivotal event in history. This collaboration brings together three distinct and respected voices in Christian music to convey the overwhelming reality of encountering the Risen Christ. The narrative at the heart of the song draws directly from the biblical accounts of those first witnesses who came face-to-face with Jesus after His resurrection. Imagine the scene: despair giving way to astonishment, sorrow transforming into unspeakable joy, doubt yielding to undeniable certainty. The song seeks to capture that moment, the profound, life-altering shock and elation of seeing the One who was dead now standing alive. It speaks of eyes that have beheld the impossible, a truth so staggering it must be shared, much like Mary Magdalene rushing from the tomb to tell the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" (John 20:18). This is the song's foundation – not a theological treatise, but the raw, personal testimony of seeing the Victor over death.
Musically, the performance serves this potent message exceptionally well. The arrangement builds with a stirring intensity, allowing each vocalist moments to shine while also blending their voices into a powerful chorus. Larnelle Harris provides a grounding depth, his voice carrying the weight and solemnity of the crucifixion and the gravity of the resurrection. David Phelps soars with his signature high tenor, reaching for the heavens and conveying the sheer elation and triumph of the resurrection. Lana Ranahan’s voice adds a beautiful clarity and earnestness, embodying the personal, intimate wonder of recognizing the Risen Savior. Their combined delivery creates a sense of shared testimony, a chorus of witnesses proclaiming the same glorious truth. The synergy between these three artists elevates the song from a simple performance to an experience that feels deeply spiritual and resonant, reflecting the collective awe of the early believers.
The message resonates deeply with Scripture, anchoring the song's power not just in emotion, but in historical and theological truth. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a story; it is the cornerstone of Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:14). The encounters described in the Gospels – whether with Mary Magdalene at the tomb (John 20:11-18), the disciples hiding in the upper room (John 20:19-23), Thomas needing physical proof (John 20:24-29), or the two on the road to Emmaus whose hearts burned within them (Luke 24:13-35) – all testify to the radical transformation that occurs upon seeing Jesus alive. This song captures that transformation, the shift from a crucified Messiah to a conquering King. It speaks to the fulfillment of prophecy and the power that defeated sin and death (Romans 6:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57). The reality of "I've Just Seen Jesus" means hope is real, promises are kept, and the future is secured. It’s a declaration that inspires faith and compels those who believe to share this world-changing truth, mirroring the disciples who "could not stop speaking about what they had seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). This collaboration powerfully communicates that seeing Jesus, whether by faith today or in person then, changes everything.
