He Is Risen


"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” — Matthew 28:5-7


Today is Easter, a great day of celebration for the world. It's a day when we remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and the hope that brings to the world for eternity. I often am moved to reflect on this in song, so I thought I'd share a couple that inspire me today.

The first is the chorus from "Written in the Stars," by Tiny Tempah. I don't know if he's a Christian, or if he totally intended for the chorus of this song to inspire that kind of hope. But he's an English rapper who talks about struggle and the search for hope. He references believing an prayer. He references Scripture in talking about money being the root of evil (though it should be the "love of money"). And this chorus reminds me of the hope of Jesus and his second coming.

"Oh written in the stars
A million miles away
A message to the main
Oh Seasons come and go
But I will never change
And I'm on my way"

But my favorite song to think about on Easter is "Christ is Risen," by Matt Maher. It's a beautiful charge to us, the church, to stand in the light in the wake of Christ's victory over the grave. The bridge and chorus goes like this:

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, he's alive! he's alive!

May we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as the church by standing in the light and proclaiming His victory today, and every day.

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