Michael Card - Jesus Let Us Come To Know You Lyrics
Lyrics
Jesus let us come to know you
Let us see you face to face
Touch us, hold us, use us, mold us
Only let us live in you
Jesus draw us every nearer
Hold us in your loving arms
Wrap us in your gentle presence
And when the end comes bring us home
Video
Jesus Let Us Come To Know You
Meaning & Inspiration
Michael Card’s profound invocation, "Jesus Let Us Come To Know You," released on January 1, 1987, as part of his album *The Life*, stands as a timeless prayer set to music. This piece isn't just a song; it's a deeply spiritual yearning, a plea for intimate communion with the divine, echoing the very heart of Christian devotion. Card, known for his ability to translate complex biblical themes into accessible and moving art, here crafts a narrative of faith that is both personal and universal, guiding those who engage with it into a deeper understanding of their relationship with Christ.
The core message embedded in this song is a passionate pursuit of God, moving beyond mere theological assent to an experiential knowledge and union. From the opening line, the request "Jesus let us come to know you" isn't a casual inquiry but a fervent desire for the kind of knowing that transforms, as depicted in Jeremiah 9:24, where true boasting is found "that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth." This pursuit of intimate knowledge naturally extends to the longing to "see you face to face," a plea that resonates with the promise of future revelation in 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." It’s a yearning for unhindered spiritual clarity, a direct and personal encounter with the Divine that shapes one's entire being.
The subsequent lines, "Touch us, hold us, use us, mold us," articulate a complete surrender to God's active involvement in one's life. To be "touched" and "held" by Jesus speaks to His comforting, healing, and protective presence, much like the gentle shepherd in Isaiah 40:11 who "gathers the lambs in his arms" and "carries them in his bosom." These requests are profoundly personal, seeking the tender care of Christ. The progression to "use us, mold us" represents a commitment to divine purpose and ongoing sanctification. We are, as Isaiah 64:8 states, "the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand," expressing a willingness to be shaped and refined according to His perfect will, embodying the call to present our bodies as a "living sacrifice" in Romans 12:1-2. This profound act of surrender culminates in the desire "only let us live in you," a powerful echo of John 15:4, "Abide in me, and I in you," signifying a complete dependence and spiritual union where Christ becomes the very source and substance of our existence, much like Paul’s declaration in Galatians 2:20, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
The prayer continues with a persistent longing: "Jesus draw us every nearer." This acknowledges our human tendency to drift and our constant need for divine initiative to bring us closer, reflecting James 4:8, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." It's an ongoing, active invitation for deeper communion. The imagery of being held "in your loving arms" and wrapped "in your gentle presence" reinforces the security, comfort, and peace found in God's encompassing love, a refuge described in Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." This speaks to the enveloping peace and constant communion offered by the Holy Spirit, a tangible sense of being surrounded by divine grace. Finally, the song culminates in the ultimate hope of every believer: "And when the end comes bring us home." This is the foundational promise of salvation and eternal life, a confident entrustment of our ultimate destiny into Christ's hands, echoing Jesus’ words in John 14:2-3 about preparing a place for us in His Father’s house, and the glorious vision of Revelation 21:3-4 where God Himself will "dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." "Jesus Let Us Come To Know You" is thus not merely a composition but a comprehensive spiritual journey, a heartfelt plea that encapsulates the entire arc of faith from initial seeking to eternal belonging, all rooted deeply in the promises and character of God revealed in Scripture.