Daily Word of Grace # 213 (April 6, 2021)
One of my favorite hymns is this effusive Easter masterpiece by the brilliant eighteenth century hymnist Charles Wesley (1707-1788): “Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! our triumphal holy day, Alleluia! who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia! Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia! who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia! But the pains which he endured, Alleluia! our salvation have procured, Alleluia! now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia! where the angels ever sing. Alleluia! Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! praise eternal as his love, Alleluia! praise him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia! Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!” (Hymn 207). This hymn is high octane gospel, replete with the good news of God’s unconditional love for sinners (and therefore you and me) and the power in Jesus’ death and resurrection to save us from both sin and death, to redeem the losses in our lives (and some of you have suffered major losses in your life), and to assure us of eternal life. That all sounds too good to be true, but it is true because it is the gospel. The best response to all these magnificent blessings is indeed what we sing no less than sixteen times in this hymn, “Alleluia!”
Love and Prayers,
Dave