LBW 129, “Awake, My Heart, with Gladness”
Devotion
As seminarians we were taught to preach law and gospel, with the law coming first. Only as we saw our terrible plight could the Gospel finally reach us in our deep-felt need. This hymn clearly begins with the good news of Christ's resurrection. Then the darkness of Christ's suffering and death is recalled. A note not often sounded today is also heard: a great foe was busy in the events of holy week. He must have rejoiced to see our Lord dead in the grave. But it was a shallow triumph that did not last. God too was busy. Jesus was raised. Does this end the matter? Hardly. Jesus may be alive and well, but so is the devil. He cannot undo the resurrection. But he can try to keep our hearts from receiving the Easter message. Here too, God is busy and powerful. In the words of a modern song, “How can I keep from singing?"
Prayer
Lord, how grateful we are that even the ancient foe cannot snatch hope from our hearts. Our deaths, too, will be overcome. Amen.