April 16: The Resurrection of Christ
♫ Music:
WEEK EIGHT
April 16 - April 20
STATIONS OF THE RESURRECTION
BRIGHT WEEK
“Christ is Risen!” The Stations of the Resurrection, also known as the Way of Light, act as a complement to the Stations of the Cross, the culmination of the wondrous Gospel story. All of the Stations of the Resurrection are based on biblical incidents recorded in the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. In 1988, Father Sabino Palumbieri, Professor of Anthropology at Salesian University in Rome, suggested this new set of stations as a way to celebrate Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. In the east, Christian churches lay aside the entire week following Easter (Bright Week) for rejoicing. The Nicene Fathers wrote, “For a whole week the faithful in the holy churches should continually be repeating psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, rejoicing and celebrating Christ, and attending to the reading of the Divine Scriptures and delighting in the Holy Mysteries. For in this way shall we be exalted with Christ; raised up together with Him.” In this final week of our project, we walk with Christ in His post-resurrection appearances and as He sends his Holy Spirit to comfort, fill, and empower believers to go throughout the world with the message of His salvation.
Day 47 - Sunday, April 16
Easter Sunday
Title: The Resurrection of Christ
Scripture: Luke 24:1-12
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
Poetry:
"Easter"
by John Updike
Make no mistake: if He rose at all
It was as His body;
If the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle,
the Church will fall.
Let us not mock God with metaphor,
Analogy, sidestepping transcendence;
making of the event a parable,
a sign painted in the faded credulity of earlier ages:
let us walk through the door.
Let us not seek to make it less monstrous,
for our own convenience, our own sense of beauty,
lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are embarrassed by the miracle,
and crushed by remonstrance.
BECAUSE HE LIVES
Ever since I was a little girl, Easter Sunday has been my favorite day of the year, regardless of the setting where I’ve been privileged to participate in a celebration of Christ’s victorious resurrection. I’ve enjoyed the anticipation of an early sunrise service, as the sun peeks over the horizon; a quiet rural church with a floral studded cross as centerpiece; a large amphitheater with thousands raising their hands and worshipping; an historic cathedral with a majestic pipe organ belting out the triumphant chords; and even a Hawaiian celebration complete with graceful hula worship. Yet, without exception, the significance of this day as a celebration of new life and hope has only deepened with each passing year. I am moved to tears each time I sing Robert Lowry’s joyous words: “Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes . . . He arose, He arose, Hallelujah, Christ arose!”
Our scripture passage, the Apostle Luke’s account of the resurrection, serves as a reassuring reminder that at the moment when Jesus’ followers were at their lowest point, confused, discouraged, and sensing that all their hopes had been dashed, they received the unexpected and miraculous proclamation, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, He is risen.” Jesus Christ conquered death and the grave and was alive!
These two dazzling heavenly beings reminded them that this is exactly what Jesus had told them would happen. As I reflected on this passage, I was struck by Luke’s next words: “. . . and they remembered his words.” I couldn’t help but ask myself, How often do I forget the words of Jesus—His promise to never leave me or forsake me, and allow discouraging or hopeless circumstances to elicit fear and anxiety in my heart? How often do I forget that in John 14, Jesus comforted His followers with the words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”
We rejoice today that the resurrection of our Lord Jesus has secured our destiny with God for eternity. But let us also remember that the living Christ is our great high priest and lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). He invites us to approach His throne of grace confidently to receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Or, in the words of Matt Maher in “Because He Lives-Amen”:
Because he lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because he lives, every fear is gone.
I know He holds my life, my future in His hands.
Amen.
PRAYER
Lord,
the resurrection of Your Son
has given us new life and renewed hope.
Help us to live as new people
in pursuit of the Christian ideal.
Grant us wisdom to know what we must do,
the will to want to do it,
the courage to undertake it,
the perseverance to continue to do it,
and the strength to complete it.
Amen.
(from New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book)
Deborah Taylor
Provost and Senior Vice President
Biola University
About the CCCA Amen! Video:
Singer/songwriter Matt Maher has a spirit-filled ability to compose music for Resurrection Sunday. Several years ago he wrote the beloved “Christ is Risen.” In 2014 he composed “Because He Lives (Amen).” It is a soaring affirmation of praise to the Christ of Calvary who has forever defeated sin and death. “Amen, Amen! Let my song join the world that never ends.”
Images and Artwork Used in the Video:
Head of Christ, Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault, MN
The Resurrection of Christ by Jacopo Tintoretto
We Shall Overcome by Nari Ward
Red Blood Cells Photograph by Unknown
Amen by Simon Silaidis
Arching Figure by Erica Grimm-Vance
Wall in Church of St. Florin, Munich, Germany
Christ Coming Out of the Tomb by Gustave Dore
Icarus by Yuri Leonov
Alter Ego (Self Portrait as Janus) by Tai-Shan Schierenberg
Prayer (Yellow) by Makoto Saito
Why Seek Ye the Living Among the Dead? by Howard Pyle
Ascending Arc by Erica Grimm-Vance
Mary Magdalene and the Holy Women at the Tomb by James Tissot
Resurrection by Igor Mitoraj, Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and of the Martyrs, Rome
Adoration of the Magi by Tai-Shan Schierenberg
Floral Art Garden by Rebecca Louise Law, London’s Garden Museum, England
Tether by Paul Benney
He is Risen by Arthur Hughes
Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grunewald
About the Music #1:
“Because He Lives-Amen”
Lyrics:
[Verse 1:]
I believe in the Son
I believe in the risen One
I believe I overcome
By the power of His blood
[Refrain:]
Amen, Amen
I’m alive, I’m alive
Because He lives
Amen, Amen
Let my song join the world that never ends
[Bridge:]
Because He lives
[Verse 2:]
I was dead in the grave
I was covered in sin and shame
I heard mercy call my name
He rolled the stone away
[Refrain]
[Verse 3:]
Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
Every fear is gone
I know He holds my life, my future in His hands
[Refrain x2]
[Finale]
Because He lives
Because He lives
About the Composer/Performer #1:
Matt Maher (b. 1974) is a contemporary Christian music artist, songwriter and worship leader originally from Newfoundland, Canada, who later relocated to Tempe, Arizona. Three of his albums have reached the Top 25 Christian Albums Billboard Chart, and four of his singles have reached the Top 25 Christian Songs Chart. His song, “Your Grace is Enough” has been sung in approximately 150,000 churches throughout the USA. NASA astronauts have taken Matt’s music into space with them on three separate occasions.
www.mattmahermusic.com
About the Music #2:
"Christ Arose" and “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
Lyrics:
"Christ Arose"
[Verse #1:]
Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus, my Savior,
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord!
[Chorus:]
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
[Verse #2:]
Vainly they watch His bed,
Jesus, my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus, my Lord!
[Verse #3:]
Death cannot keep his Prey,
Jesus, my Savior;
He tore the bars away,
Jesus, my Lord!
“Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
[Verse #1:]
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
[Verse #2:]
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
[Verse #3:]
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
[Verse #4:]
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
[Verse #5:]
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
About the Easter Hymns:
“Christ Arose” & “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
Kenneth W. Osbeck writes, “During the Easter season of 1874, while having his devotions one evening, Robert Lowry was impressed with the events associated with Christ's resurrection, especially with these words recorded in Luke 24:6, 7—“He is not here, but is risen.” Soon Lowry found himself seated at the little pump organ in the parlor of his home. And in a very spontaneous fashion, the words and music of “Christ Arose” gave expression to the thoughts that had been uppermost in his mind. The hymn was published the following year and has been an inspirational favorite with God’s people ever since.”
Richard Niell Donovan writes, “Charles Wesley wrote this hymn in 1739, less than a year after his Aldersgate conversion. ‘Christ the Lord is Risen Today’ perfectly capture the spirit of Easter. It has strong, driving rhythms that make us want to ‘raise the rafter’ with joyful singing. The first line, ‘Christ the Lord is risen today,’ sets the tone and tells us what we are celebrating. ‘Raise your joys and triumphs high,’ suggests how to celebrate. The Alleluias soar. The hymn portrays not only the resurrection, but also the crucifixion. It tells us that ‘Love’s redeeming work is done, fought the fight, the battle won.’ It says, ‘Death in vain forbids him rise.’ But the resurrection is the dominant theme.
About the Performer #2:
A multi-talented composer and keyboard artist, Phillip Keveren displays a tremendous versatility in both his original works and concert performances. He composes in a variety of genres, and is widely acclaimed for his piano publications. Mr. Keveren is also a prolific arranger, orchestrator and producer and his work is featured in numerous instrumental recordings, church choral, educational piano and Christian artist releases. Phillip is co-author, major composer and orchestrator of the internationally acclaimed Hal Leonard Student Piano Library, a complete method for young students. Mr. Keveren holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition from California State University, Northridge, and a Master of Music in Composition from the University of Southern California.
http://www.phillipkeveren.com/
About the Poet:
John Updike (1932-2009) was an American novelist, poet, short story writer, art critic, and literary critic. Updike was one of only three writers to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction more than once. In the 1950s, Updike underwent a profound spiritual crisis. Suffering from a loss of religious faith, he began reading Søren Kierkegaard and theologian Karl Barth. Both deeply influenced his own religious beliefs, which in turn figured prominently in his fiction. Updike remained a believing Christian for the rest of his life.