Devotionals
Hallelujah! Christ Arose!
An Easter Meditation
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said.” You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene,who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” – Mark 16:6a, NIV Study Bible
Remembering the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus, we often leave the church on Good Friday with only these words from an old hymn echoing upon out heartstrings:
Low in the grave He lay – Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day – Jesus my Lord!
Vainly they watch his bed – Jesus my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead – Jesus my Lord!
-Lowery, “Christ Arose,” All -American Hymnal. Eleventh Edition. Page 241.
Neither the third verse nor the chorus of this hymn is sung – only the first two verses. As we sing, the lights in the sanctuary grow dimmer and dimmer until total darkness surrounds us, as the congregation slowly leaves the church in complete silence and makes its way into various homes throughout the community.
Driving back home, I find myself wondering: “How many people leave the funeral of a loved family member or a dear friend with feelings that are similar to those of the disciples who were present at the death of Jesus? Do their hopes perish? Do they walk away seeing only their loved one’s death as “the end” and failing to remember the words of Jesus that foretell his resurrection? : “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many room; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2-4, NIV Study Bible)
Or, do they - like Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome approaching the tomb where their beloved Lord had been laid - return to their loved one’s resting place to find that the stone has indeed been rolled away and their loved one has “risen in Christ”? This was the message these three women carried to the disciples: “Christ is risen! He lives!”
With the power of a Risen Christ, we can in His name and strength, be used to the glory of God. We can go forth with the message of the saving grace that was made possible by a crucified and risen Savior. And come Easter Morning, we can sing the rest of the song:
Death cannot keep his prey – Jesus my Savior!
He tore the bars away – Jesus my Lord!
Up from the Grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’re His foes;
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with his saints to reign.
He arose! He Arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
-Lowery, “Christ Arose,” All -American Hymnal. Eleventh Edition. Page 241.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
I loved this article. Your writing really holds my attention. What a dismal future we would have, had Jesus not come and was raised from the dead. Thank you so much for sharing. GOD BLESS YOU
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 1203 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Laura Anne Harrison or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 1203 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.