“And as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the Living One among the dead?” Luke 24:5 NAS
My earliest memories of Easter services are of jubilant worship. Triumphant celebration reflected not only in the atmosphere of beautifully dressed children, resplendent with Easter bonnets and lacy socks, but also in the exultant hymns that were reserved especially for that Sunday morning. Their words and melodies still resonate in my heart: ‘Jesus Christ is Risen today! Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!”
After weeks of mournful hymns sung throughout lent telling of the suffering of Jesus for our sins, “Oh Sacred Head surrounded by crown of piercing thorns. Oh, bleeding head so wounded reviled and put to scorn…’, songs that really brought home the personal suffering that Jesus endured for our sakes. No wonder, Easter Sunday, with its victorious Resurrection of a living Savior, seemed so alive and joy-filled with Kingdom purpose.
For as Jesus hung on that cross, He was very mindful of those who would be saved and redeemed by His sacrifice. “For the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame.” Heb. 12:2. We were His joy, the joy awaiting Him on the other side of death. The joyful sound thundering through the ages, of lives saved, hearts healed, sin defeated, life restored. Alleluias ringing.
Dan and I have had the unique blessing and experience of walking through some of the most remote, most unreached places on the earth. Cities of hundreds of thousands whose streets have never known a church, at least not in the last 1000 years or so. In these places, I am always struck by the heartbeat of the Father for these people. His heart yearns for them, as a Father would for any lost children. He sends us out, His sons and daughters, to find our lost siblings, and to love them to Jesus.
He did not guarantee this task would be easy. In fact, He promised us trouble and persecution when we would do the right thing. With the message of hope…the GOOD NEWS. There is a God. He has a Son. His name is Jesus. He died for you. He rose again. He is alive forever more.
This Easter season, as we celebrate this joyful resurrection, let us take on with all seriousness the mind of Christ toward the lost. In the victory of the risen Christ. Let us not hold back. Alleluia!
~ Debbie Ecker
