The Day of Resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad
The passover of gladness, the passover of God
From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky
our Christ hath brought us over with hymns of victory
Our hearts be pure from evil that we may see aright
The Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light
And listening to His accents, may hear, so calm and plain
His own “All hail!” and, hearing, may raise the victor strain
Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth the song begin
Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein
Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend
For Christ the Lord hath risen, our joy that hath no end.
~ Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today. ~
~ words: John of Damascus; translated by John Mason Neale ~ traditional melody: Ellacombe; performed by The Gloucester Cathedral Choir
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“While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered His words….”
Luke 24:4-8
Jesus predicted His death and resurrection to His followers. Before Jesus was born, He already knew that He would be dying for our sins on the Cross. It was the only way that sin could be defeated, and we could be reconciled to God. Someone had to love us enough to give their own blood for ours. The day of Jesus’ death was filled with grief and sorrow. His own mother was crying. His followers were grieving. Yet, Jesus had forewarned them that this would happen.
Now imagine that third day..imagine walking up to the tomb to pay your respects and mourn. Imagine those feelings. Now imagine the surprise when you see the tomb standing wide open—the stone door moved out of the way. Imagine the angels saying that Jesus has risen. What a shock for those who either had not heard Jesus’ foretelling or didn’t remember it! Jesus had risen from the dead and returned home to His Father. He was not dead!
The day that the stone was rolled away Jesus defeated death and sin. He made the ultimate sacrifice on the Cross and the greatest miracle was performed on the third day—Jesus rose from the dead. If we have faith and believe that Jesus died on the Cross for us, rose on the third day (the Resurrection), and accept Him into our hearts as Lord and Savior then we will live eternally with Him and God when time comes to a close. Christ is not dead! He is alive! He never leaves us!
Just as the heavens and earth are joyful over Christ’s defeat of sin so should we. We should be delighted and overjoyed with the thought that we will live in God’s glory for eternity thanks to the Resurrection of Christ. Yes, that day of His death was sad, but the third day brought great joy. We should remember this during the Easter season and celebrate with joy that we have eternal life through Christ.
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Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift on the Cross. Without it we would be lost to sin. We would not be able to have a relationship with You. Please be with us as we spread the news about that third day—the Resurrection Day. In Jesus name, Amen.
