CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY by Charles Wesley
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia; Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia; Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia; Fought the fight, the battle’s won, Alleluia
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia; Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia; Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia; Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia; Following our exalted Head, Alleluia
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia; Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia; Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia; Hail the Resurrection Thou, Alleluia
King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia; Everlasting life is this, Alleluia
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia; Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia
What greater day is there for a Christian to celebrate than Resurrection Sunday? Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we would have no spiritual birthday to celebrate. We would have no Christian faith. We would be of all people the most miserable.
Our enemy, Satan, could not foresee the return of Christ from death’s domain anymore than he could grasp the reality of mankind’s redeemable soul. He, as an angelic creature, does not have one and neither he nor they fully understand how it works.
Because of the finished work of Christ, our soul can be born again, born from above, made new. We become righteous, justified, free from sin’s curse. What a wonderful Savior is Jesus our Lord.
If a Christian cannot be excited on Easter, if they cannot sing and praise and shout in celebration for Christ’s return from the grave, then I would posit that they are not a Christian at all. Oh, the glorious truth of the gospel writers, showing us the account of that first Easter morning. Sad, dejected, confused disciples go to the tomb. Emboldened, resolute, joyful disciples go forth into the world on Monday, having seen the Risen Christ. May we always celebrate our Lord of Life.
May we know and prove His resurrection power in our lives.
Lord God, thank You for sending Your Son to purchase our salvation. We rejoice this day, honoring His resurrection from the dead and celebrating His reign at Your powerful right hand.