The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead . . . ” Matthew 28:5–7a
Easter Sunday begins a new season of the Christian Year and is not part of Holy Week, but I just couldn't stop my reflections on Saturday with Jesus lying in the tomb.
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Today is the greatest day in the history of the church—Resurrection day! For centuries this day has also been called “The Great Day.” The event of Jesus’ resurrection was so important for followers of Christ, that followers of Christ added a new day of meeting, Sunday, to commemorate his resurrection.
The Apostle Paul knew of the importance of the resurrection. He constantly preached Christ and his resurrection:
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised . . . But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Cor 15:12–13; 20–22)
HE IS RISEN INDEED!
In addition to calling Easter Sunday, “The Great Sunday,” the Church has called every other Sunday of the year “little resurrection days.” This is a good reminder that we should not stop the celebration of our Risen Lord with Easter Sunday. Every time we gather together to worship, let us celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ has risen, conquering death and the grave, and has offered us new life in him!
ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
Prayer
Father, because of Easter we can declare: Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? We hold our heads high because Christ is risen! We rejoice in Christ our Savior as life bursts through death. Jesus Christ is alive for evermore! Alleluia! Amen.
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
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 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!
Charles Wesley, 1739