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One of my favorite Easter hymns is, “Christ Is Risen! Alleluia!” with its magnificent poetry by John S. B. Monsell. 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. Everything God has done through Christ he has done for us.
St. John tells us, “Beloved, we are God’s children now,” and one day, “we will be like him, for we will see him as he is” (1 John 3). In the ecumenical Christian creeds, we confess that we believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
All of God’s people will one day join our Lord in resurrected life! It is Jesus’ resurrection that sets in motion this future reality. Because Jesus defeated death, we too are set free from death.
When we live in such promises, we can sing with confidence, “bowing down in joy before him, rising up from griefs and tears” (verse 1). Our very real earthly sorrows don’t get the last word, for our God is a God of life — wondrous and joyful, abundant and eternal! “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 St. Peter all the way into the empty tomb to immerse yourself in the wonder and glory of this miracle.
