“Jesus Christ is Risen Today,” ELW 365
1 Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
2 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!
3 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!
4 Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
Devotion
Behold the joy of Easter morning! Hear the rousing hymns, trumpets and horns that awake the congregant’s ears. See the spiffed-up adults and children, all marking “our triumphant holy day.”
Easter, the climax of our Lenten journey, commemorates the victory of Jesus Christ over the forces that bind us: sin, death and the power of evil. “Our salvation [He has] procured.”
The first three verses of our hymn are ancient, coming from the 14th century, but the fourth verse was written by Charles Wesley, who wrote the lyrics of more than 2,000 hymns, while his famous elder brother, John, organized the Methodist movement.
This is a pure hymn of praise: lyrics that proclaim the meaning of the resurrection, and music that offers us an echo of heaven’s glories.
The hymn expresses a joy that the father and the returning prodigal felt at their embrace. It’s a joy that we can’t repress or limit. It’s a joy that drives us to praise. Nothing less will do!
Prayer
Praise to you, Heavenly Father, for our redemption and for your victorious Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.