He is Risen!

When I was in college I sang in a choir that performed an Easter song for our end of semester choral concert. No, it was not a particularly religious choir director/professor, nor was I attending a private, religious school. I learned during my time in the Music Department that musicians will sing a lot of songs of faith without having any belief in God at all.

But as a person of faith I was very pleased to sing a song about Jesus’ resurrection. I can’t recall the title of the song; nor can I recall the composer, unfortunately. I was probably about 19 years old at the time, so please forgive me. What I do remember is that it was a song from the point of view of Mary Magdalene who arrived at the grave of Jesus on the third day to find it empty.

The words were taken directly from Scripture, “They have taken away my Lord and I know not where He is…” and then, from the angel (in one Gospel account, “Go quickly and tell that He is risen from the dead.”

That choir sounded pretty good. But more importantly is that message of Jesus’ resurrection rings down through history to this very day. And there is excitement and joy 2,000 plus years later, just as there was at that time. Granted, the numbers are considerably larger now than they were then. On that resurrection morning there was also a lot of confusion and uncertainty initially, mixed with happiness. But in a very short time, when the first disciples received the Holy Spirit, they became courageous, enthusiastic followers, eager to share the Good News of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

How amazing and thrilling really that we are still able to share that word today! I hope that we will continue to share Jesus’ love and mercy, His obedience to the Father’s will and plan, the suffering He endured for our sake, with others today and throughout the Easter season and the rest of our lives.

It’s vitally important for the world today, just as it always has been. We need to share the reason for our joy and our hope because of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray often that God will give me the words to say, show me what to do, to glorify HIs name and advance His kingdom. He always provides. Maybe you can pray something similar if you’re wondering how you can get out the Good News. It may not be something grand that edifies or ‘recruits’ many, but that is God’s business, not ours. We must just remain faithful. You will influence people you are not even aware of in this life. You may plant seeds you will never see come to fruition.
That’s alright. It’s more than okay; God has a plan and He just wants our willing hearts, our ‘yes,’ our “not our will, but Thine be done.”

Happy Resurrection Day! May the joy and hope of this day not only remain with us after today, but may it continue to gain strength and power by the presence of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. As the Mercyme song says, it is the very same Holy Spirit who brought the Son back to life. “Hallelujah, He lives in me!”