A Reason to Rejoice!

Those of us who have known the Good News of the Gospel can sometimes take the crucifixion and resurrection for granted. The busyness of getting ready for Easter family celebrations, egg coloring, candy making, basket filling, cleaning, cooking, shopping, or trying to find something new to wear can sometimes blur the real meaning. That is one of the reasons we minister the Easter musicals – to remember-- really remember.


I’ve been producing these musicals for twenty-three years now, yet I’m still moved by Jesus’ agony in the garden, his pleading with God –“could there be another way?” When I think of the sinless Lamb of God taking on my sin, your sin, every sin that has ever been committed or will be – it’s impossible to comprehend. But Jesus knew. The weight was unbearable. We have a difficult time giving up a meal to fast and pray; yet he submitted to the mocking, beating, scorning, and hanging to the point of death.

As I watch the crucifixion there are times I have to look away. Yet, something draws me back to that bloody body hanging on the cross. It was for me –- my cross, in my place. But the mystery is that it is me hanging on that cross because I’m “in Christ.” It’s me dying to my old life. It’s me dying to my past. It’s me, yet, I feel no pain, no agony, no sorrow except for Him. He carried my griefs, my sorrow, my pain. He took my stripes, my shame. It was my guilt that was nailed to that cross. (Isaiah 53). So, that is what it means. Overwhelming emotion builds – tears flow, gratefulness chokes my throat. “Amazing Grace how can it be, that you my Lord would die for me?”


But the story doesn't end there. The musical continues and, even though I know what’s coming, my heart beats faster as expectation builds. Sitting on the edge of my seat I wait as the lights come up to a tomb with Roman soldiers guarding the grave.

The music gently builds, “Not a word was heard at the tomb that day, just shuffling feet as they guarded the grave. One day, two days, three days had passed, could it be that Jesus had breathed his last. Could it be that his father had forsaken him, turned his back on his son, despising our sin. All hell seemed to whisper, forget him he’s dead. Then the Father looked down at His son and said… Arise, My love. Arise, My love. The grave no longer has a hold on you. No more death's sting, No more suffering. Arise...Arise...my love.”

The music changes dramatically building…and I shift in my seat. " The Earth trembled and the tomb began to shake, (suddenly an angel appears) and like lightening from Heaven the stone was rolled away." We see the angel push the huge, heavy stone away and there is Jesus lying in the fog filled tomb. " And the guards as dead men stand there in fright, as the power of love displayed its might. Then suddenly a melody filled the air riding wings of wind, it was everywhere. The words all creation had been longing to hear, the sweet sound of victory, so loud and clear. "

"Arise, My love." Jesus begins moving – sitting up and excitement builds while angels are dancing in celebration. "Arise, My love. The grave no longer has a hold on you. No more death's sting, No more suffering. Arise...Arise...my love.”

Finally, Jesus rises from the stone and stands, the music builds. "Sin, where are your shackles? Death, where is your sting? Hell; has been defeated. The grave could not hold the King." Jesus begins walking out of the tomb. I just want to stand and shout “hallelujah, Praise God!" Remembering I’m in the sound booth I remain seated.

"Arise, My love. Arise, My love." Jesus begins walks to the front of the stage. "The grave no longer has a hold on you. No more death's sting, No more suffering. Arise...Arise.. Arise!" Jesus stands triumphantly with arms upraised and spread toward the sky while the crowd responds exuberantly with claps of praise and vocal expressions of rejoicing. Hallelujah!

It excites me everytime. I remember it was not just Christ who arose but you and I arose too! Scripture reminds us that not only were we baptized into His death but also into His resurrection! What does that mean for us? New life, new nature, new creation, new beginning, new master, new family, new kingdom, new destiny, new all the way through. Praise God when Christ arose to new eternal life we arose with Him! What is true of Him is true of us. Our past no longer has a hold on us, our old nature no longer has to control us, the old is past and the new has come. Now that is a reason to rejoice! Hallelujah! Rejoice! We’re alive to a New Life!