“Christ the Lord is Risen Today” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9khJXoL9QGk
I grew up singing this hymn, and literally learnt it in school and church as a kid of 6 years of age. It has stayed with me all these years and continues to sing of hope, comfort, and future joy because of the power of God, who came to earth in human form to save us from our sins through belief and the acceptance of His Son, Jesus Christ, as Saviour and Lord. This is a paean of praise to the triune God whose Son, Jesus Christ, rose from the dead that He might provide redemption for our sins because God loved us SO much!
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
(John 3:16-17)
I wanted to share this hymn with all those who might come across my Blog and read this post. I wanted to share the joy of new life in Christ. I wanted to invite those who are unhappy – dejected even – and who no longer care about themselves because they have lost all hope, to come to the One who took our burdens upon Himself when He died for us on the cross. I am not saying that Christians never feel sad or heavy laden. I am saying that Christians have the added surety and comforting love of a God who cares for us and who wishes for us to share our fears and hardships with Him so that He might comfort us. He doesn’t make life all cosy and comfy – but he does walk through life with us when we aren’t feeling too good, or even feeling depressed and unable to cope any more. All we need do is to pray and reach out to Him, and put our total trust in Him.
I am also not saying that we will feel Him all the time. Sometimes, He feels far away. Nonetheless, our faith tells us that He is with us through thick and thin and we can always approach Him in prayer. He is our Friend, and we can speak to Him like a friend. His Father is also our loving Father, who loved us so much that He did not hesitate to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us. The Lord Jesus too loves us so much that even though he was sorely anguished by His coming (painful and shameful) death on the cross (since He came to earth in human flesh and was both fully God and human), He nonetheless went obediently to it and made the ultimate sacrifice – He gave up His life for us that we may have life through Him.
Jesus loved us so much that He left his abode in heaven to spend time on earth. He was born in a lowly (unhygienic) stable, and grew up and lived in a village like every other resident in it. He loved us so much that He was willing to go to the cross for us, taking upon Himself the stigma, the pain, the pollution of sin in our lives, so that He could cleanse our lives and souls when we accept Him as Lord and Saviour with His own blood. And when it came time to leave Earth and return to His heavenly home, Jesus didn’t leave us bereft and alone. Instead, His place was taken by the Holy Spirit, who guides, helps and comforts all who have asked the Lord to come into their lives. The Holy Spirit lives within all those who have confessed and accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour and is with and within us until the end.
This hymn, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”, was written by Charles Wesley in 1739. Now, almost 300 years later, it is still as relevant today as it was then. It still brings tears to my eyes when I sing or listen to it. It reminds me of Christ’s sacrifice for the world. It reminds me of His own suffering just for us. It tells me that God loves me. It fortifies me because I know that He will never leave me nor forsake me. And the glorious music that accompanies the lyrics foretells the glory of our heavenly home.
What is there to lose by accepting Christ in one’s life? What is there to gain by accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour? This is something for everyone to decide for him or herself. Accepting the Lord is a life-changing event – or it should be a life-changing event. I am not saying that it will make life easier, because the devil is always going to try and lure new Christians away. In fact, Satan will also continually attempt and often succeeds – at least for a time – in turning even mature Christians from God. It is not a life of roses, but it has its benefits: not least that Christians can always turn to God in prayer and we know that He hears us even if we might sometimes feel like we are speaking into thin air.
Being a Christian isn’t all about feeling. It is also about knowing. Life as a Christian is knowing that one has put one’s trust in God to save us and fit us for heaven through Jesus Christ. It is the heart, mind, and soul knowledge that He will never leave us but is always there for us through thick and thin. When we humbly say the prayer and ask the Lord Jesus to come into our lives, He comes to live in us in the form of the Holy Spirit, who will guide and keep us throughout the rest of our lives. Talk to the Lord often, worship Him in your heart and the way you live. Read His Word, the Bible, and engage with Him. He is waiting to embrace you as His child.
I know He lives! Take my word for it and approach Him, and you will find Him too if you will seek Him with all your heart, soul, and mind. He is waiting to welcome you with open arms because He died for YOU! And HE LOVES YOU!