Christ is risen! Alleluia!

My May newsletter column for the churches.*


One of my favorite Easter hymns bears exactly that title: “Christ Is Risen! Alleluia!” (LBW 131, ELW 382).

Here’s a gem from verse 3: “See the grave its first-fruits giving, springing up from holy ground.” Jesus as “first-fruits” from the grave tells us Jesus is the first one to be raised from the dead to life eternal, but he won’t be the only one. We will one day join him, along with all of God’s people!

This means that “henceforth never death or hell shall us enthrall” (verse 4). Now that Christ has defeated death, it is no longer a threat for us either, because Easter is not only about Christ—it’s also about us. Because everything God has done through Christ, he has done for us.

In our creeds, we confess that we believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. It is Jesus’ resurrection that sets in motion this future reality. Because Jesus defeated death, we too are set free from death, and we will all share in the glory of Jesus’ resurrection. “Be we Christ’s, in him forever we have triumphed over all” (verse 4).

Christ’s resurrection is not just a glorious event to be admired from a distance. It is for you! This Easter season, I hope you run with Peter all the way into the empty tomb to immerse yourself the wonder and glory of this miracle.


* Side note: my April newsletter column was reprinted in the Kenyon Leader. They misspelled my name and messed up the last couple sentences, at least in the online version, but I think the main point was made anyway.