I Will Rise

Luke 24:1-5

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they had entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!"

This is a wonderful prelude for us to reflect upon before Easter Sunday morning. Victory happened once and for all when Jesus declared “It is finished” while breathing His last breath. Jesus’ ultimate triumph over the clutches of death occurred when He rose from the grave. He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Every knee will bow to the name of Jesus. Because of Jesus, we can look forward to no more pain and no more sorrow, where all will be illumined by the glory of God, and our faith will become sight.

As we live out our daily lives here on earth, we can still acknowledge the victory that we have in our relationship with Jesus Christ. We can live with the hope that God is at work even now to create new life within us. This hope develops internal peace, which is the anchor for our souls. Though we know in our hearts that victory is ours in Christ Jesus, it is sometimes hard for us to hold on to this belief when times are difficult. Jesus never promised that our lives would be without heartache and sorrow, but He did promise that He would be with us during the hard times, and He also promised us His comfort and peace through the Holy Spirit. Even during the face of trials, we can know that Christ is working to bring life to us when we feel as though we are “dying” inside.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 encourages us not to lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, we are being renewed inwardly each day. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” No matter how broken we may become, Christ will continue to prove His resurrection power in our lives as we surrender to Him. As we bow before Him in humility and reverence, and as we wait on Him, even in the midst of pain and suffering, He will lift us up and we will rise on wings like eagles, we will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not be faint. (Isa. 40:31) This is true faith put into action. This is the faith that will carry us to the end of our days on earth. This is the faith which allows us to say “It is well” as we live victoriously in Christ.

I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise