Lyric discussion by PemberleyTea 

Cover art for To Be Alone with You lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

It is about Jesus, Allthearmsweneed. On the cross, Jesus showed the perfect example of what love is. The cross provides access to God. There is no other way we could even pray to God without having a relationship with Christ - a believe and faith in Him. When Sufjan says "They took your clothes" , it is describing when the Roman soldiers took Jesus' clothes right before He was crucified (see Romans 19:23-24).

In response to the line "You gave up a wife and a family" , Sufjan is trying to talk about the humanity of Christ. He was both fully human and fully God (see John 10:30). Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus was tempted in -every- way - therefore He was tempted sexually, but He never sinned. A lot of times people have a picket-fence house dream of a family with 2.5 children and a dog and a cat, but Jesus chose a much harder life. And for one reason - to accompliish salvation for those who would believe in Him.

In response to "You gave up your ghost", Sufjan speaks of the Holy Spirit. Because of the finished work on the cross, Christians have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

"The tree" is another word for the cross since it was made out of the wood from trees.

Allthearmsweneed, I hope this helps to relieve your confusion.

For His Glory, PemberleyTea Colossians 1:19

Jesus did not die on a cross, sorry.

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What did he die on?

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Thanks PemberleyTea!

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