Ray Boltz - He's Alive Lyrics
Lyrics
The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down;
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers
Breakin' thru to drag us all away
And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call;
I hurried to the window
And looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sounds of soldier's feet
There was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in;
John stood there beside me
As she'd told us where she'd been.
She said, They moved Him in the night
And none of us knows where;
The stone's been rolled away
And now His body isn't there!
We both ran t'ward the garden,
Then John ran on ahead;
We found the stone and empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said.
But the winding sheet
They wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell;
And who or where they'd taken Him
Was more than I could tell.
Well, something strange
Had happened there,
But just what I didn't know;
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go.
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn't lift me very high
'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him,
Then I saw Him die.
Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came;
Everything I'd promised Him
Just added to my shame.
When at last it came to choices,
I denied I knew His name;
And even if He was alive,
It wouldn't be the same
But suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume;
Light that came from everywhere
Drove shadows from the room.
Jesus stood before me
With His arms held open wide;
And I fell down on my knees,
And just clung to Him and cried.
He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes,
Love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight in the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I'd ever had
Just melted into peace
Chorus:
He's alive! He's alive,
He's alive and I'm forgiven!
Heaven's gates are open wide:
He's alive, He's alive,
Oh He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive, He's alive,
Hallelujah He's alive
Video
Bill & Gloria Gaither - He's Alive [Live] ft. David Phelps, Gaither Vocal Band
Meaning & Inspiration
Ray Boltz's "He's Alive," released on November 6, 2000, as part of his album *The Classics*, is a deeply moving and powerfully resonant song that plunges into the immediate aftermath of Christ's resurrection from the perspective of one of his followers. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of someone locked away, consumed by grief and the lingering fear of Roman persecution following Jesus' crucifixion. The opening verses paint a vivid picture of despair, where every sound is a potential threat, and the weight of loss is almost unbearable. This initial scene powerfully evokes the sorrow felt by the disciples, as described in John 20:19, where they were gathered together in fear of the Jewish authorities. The lyrics then shift dramatically with the arrival of Mary Magdalene, bringing the astonishing news of the empty tomb. This moment marks a turning point, moving from a communal hiding place of sorrow to the first flicker of an incomprehensible miracle.
The song masterfully portrays the struggle between doubt and burgeoning belief. As the narrator and John race to the garden and find the grave clothes lying empty, the immediate reaction isn't universal faith. The narrator admits, "John believed a miracle, but I just turned to go." This raw honesty is a testament to the profound shock and the difficulty of reconciling the brutal reality of the crucifixion with the miraculous reports. The lyrics articulate a human response to such an event, where tangible evidence like the empty tomb and the discarded grave clothes cannot immediately overcome the memory of Jesus' death. The narrator's internal struggle is further revealed in the lines expressing shame and guilt over his earlier denial of Jesus, a poignant echo of Peter's betrayal (Luke 22:54-62). This deeply personal confession of failure highlights how the crucifixion and subsequent events tested the disciples' faith to its absolute limit, making the thought of resurrection seem impossible, as the narrator laments, "And even if He was alive, it wouldn't be the same."
The song's transformative climax arrives with an almost otherworldly encounter. The appearance of Jesus, heralded by a "strange and sweet perfume" and a radiant light, shatters the narrator's despair and disbelief. This divine manifestation is the definitive moment of revelation, fulfilling the prophecy of His victory over death. The depiction of Jesus standing with "arms held open wide" is a profound image of grace and unconditional acceptance, mirroring His persistent call to those who are weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28). The narrator's immediate reaction of falling to his knees and clinging to Jesus speaks to the overwhelming relief and the profound emotional release that comes with encountering the risen Savior. The ensuing embrace and the gaze into Jesus' eyes, where "love was shining out from Him like sunlight in the skies," powerfully conveys the transformative power of Christ's presence. The confusion and guilt that plagued the narrator melt away, replaced by "sweet release" and an all-encompassing "peace," a testament to the reconciliation offered through the resurrection.
The chorus, "He's alive! He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven! Heaven's gates are open wide," serves as a triumphant affirmation of the core Christian message. It is not merely a statement of fact but a declaration of personal salvation and renewed hope. This powerful refrain encapsulates the central tenet of the Gospel: that Christ's resurrection is the ultimate proof of His divinity and the foundation of our forgiveness and access to eternal life. The lyrics resonate with the Apostle Paul's assertion in 1 Corinthians 15:14, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." The song, therefore, is more than just a narrative of an event; it's an inspiring testament to the life-altering power of the resurrection, demonstrating how it can bring peace, forgiveness, and an open door to heaven for all who believe.