I cannot tell how he will win the nations, how he will claim his earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory, and he shall reap the harvest he has sown, and some glad day his sun will shine in splendour,
When he the Saviour, Saviour of the world is known.

I cannot tell how all the land shall worship, when at his bidding every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation when all our hearts with love for him are filled.
But this I know, the skies will sound his praises, ten thousand thousand human voices sing, and earth to heaven, and heaven to earth will answer,
'At last the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is King!'
(W.Y. Fullerton, 1857-1932)

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus…. who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead….

(Rom 1.1&3)

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.. each in his own turn; Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

(1 Cor 15.19-23)

[Christ Jesus].. being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(Phil 2.5-11)

Let all God’s children cry, Amen! Let it be! For today we celebrate the defeat of our great enemy and the glorious assurance which has been won for us by Christ Jesus as he destroys the tyranny of sin and death, releasing us from bondage and bringing us to life in God’s kingdom now and in the age to come. We live in him today, and his power will carry us through the valley of death into his nearer presence and eternal fullness of life, a form of existence beyond our imagining in its pure and vivid perfection. Death is no longer to be feared, but faced with childlike trust in Jesus Christ and in the powerful promises of our Father God. Our elder brother has gone before us, and we can see him as we face that dark doorway, his arms extended in welcome and anticipating joy.

This victory, won once for all time and also gloriously effective day-by-day in our lives, is cause for boundless rejoicing, and will infuse our corporate praise today with great gladness. And as we contemplate the author of this victory, our Lord Jesus, we join our voices and our hearts with all the citizens of the heavenly realms in praising him, extolling his name and worshipping him. Surely he is worthy, worthy to receive so much more than our small songs and frail hearts can offer – but how marvellous to find that even our flawed offerings are cherished and welcomed, and that as we praise our Saviour, he abundantly blesses us and continues to pour out his love upon us. 

Oh Father, how we rejoice today in the wonderful revelation which is Easter Sunday! How we exult to see the tomb empty, and to hear the compassionate love of our Lord as he addressed Mary in her grief, turning mourning into dancing, and giving us an unshakeable hope!

We hear the spiritual realms reverberating with the deafening affirmation of our Lord’s defeat of sin and death; we catch the echo of the angelic shout of triumph as the risen Christ stepped from the grave and the morning sun fell upon his glorious face. We bow in worship before our Lord and Saviour, and wonder, with all the saints, at his glory, majesty, love and passion for sinners. How marvellous, how wonderful is your love for us in Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen