Risen Today

1 Peter 3:18

 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.

Jesus Christ Is Risen Today LBW 151

 1    Jesus Christ is ris'n 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 heav'nly 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 heav'nly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Latin carol, 14th cent., sts. 1-3; tr. J. Walsh, 1708, alt.; Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, st. 4

            This hymn is often confused with Charles Wesley’s “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” – similar theme, similar meter, but worlds apart.  This hymn was translated from an ancient Latin hymn of the 4th century Christian Church, to which Charles Wesley added a verse.

            Alleluia is the word ‘resurrected’ on Easter Sunday after its Lenten exile, a Greek word meaning “praise Yahweh”.  It was used throughout Scripture to point to the work of God, and what mightier work than the resurrection of Jesus?

Prayer:  Remind us, Good Lord, that before hope there is despair, before life there is death, and before resurrection there is crucifixion!  But at the beginning and the end of all things, there is You!  Amen.