April 17, 2022
From our readers come two visual messages about Easter. First from Jani in Pennsylvania – a man too much like so many others, who misses the meaning of today.
And second from Jennifer, first born of your favorite bloggers – two men from B.C. who got it right.
🛐 “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” of the thousands of hymns that Charles Wesley wrote (estimates range between 6,500 and 10,000), this one, plus “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and “O For a Thousand Tongues to Tell” are his best. This rendition is from Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC, Easter Processional 2016. On YouTube, click on “Show More,” scroll down to the verses and sing along with the choir and congregation (I just wish they had done all 6 verses – Wesley wrote 11 verses).
A striking feature of the hymn is that its text is written in the present tense. “Christ the Lord is risen today” – not “has risen” or “rose.” This is powerful because it places us in community with those who witnessed the resurrection in their own lifetimes. “Made like him, like him we rise” – also stated in the present tense – conveys a hope that brings God’s power and new life now.
🛐 “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming” by S.M. Lockridge.
It’s Friday. Jesus is praying. Peter is asleep. Judas is betraying. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Pilate is struggling. The Council is conspiring. The crowd is vilifying. They don’t even know that Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. The disciples are running like sheep without a shepherd. Mary is crying. Peter is denying. But they don’t know that Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. The Romans beat my Jesus. They robe him in scarlet. They crown him with thorns. But they don’t know that Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. See Jesus walking to Calvary. His blood drips. His body stumbles. His spirit’s burdened. But you see, it’s only Friday. Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. The world winced. People are sad, and evil is grinning.
It’s Friday. The soldiers nailed my Savior’s hands to the cross. They nail my Savior’s feet to the cross. And then they raised him up next to criminals.
It’s Friday. But let me tell you something. Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. The disciples are questioning what has happened to their King. And the Pharisees are celebrating that their scheming has been achieved. But they don’t know it’s only Friday. Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. He’s hanging on the cross feeling forsaken by his Father. Left alone and dying. Can nobody save him? Oh, it’s Friday. But Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. The earth trembles. The sky grows dark. My King yields his spirit. It’s Friday. Hope is lost. Death has won. The end has come. Sin has conquered. And Satan gets a laugh.
It’s Friday. Jesus is dead. A soldier stands guard. And a rock is rolled into place. But it’s Friday. It is only Friday. Sunday is a coming.
🛐 IT’S SUNDAY! THE TOMB IS EMPTY! HE IS ALIVE! HALLELUJAH!
🛐 Listen to “An Easter Hallelujah” by Cassandra Star & her sister Callahan.
🛐 Read the Greatest Story Ever Told: Christ is Risen!
-To Be Continued-
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