Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

The NIH chapel this morning was beautiful. Sitting among people who were so sick, and yet so filled hope, this was an Easter where the resurrection, its power and hope were center stage, believed and proclaimed in full faith. I didn’t preach this morning, but I wanted to post one of my favorite Easter hymns: “Christ the Lord Is Risen, Today” by Charles Wesley.

“Christ, the Lord, is risen today,” Sons of men and angels say! Raise your joys and triumphs high: Sing, ye heavens; thou earth, reply.

Love’s redeeming work is done; Fought the fight, the battle won: Lo! the sun’s eclipse is o’er, Lo! he sets in blood no more!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Christ hath burst the gates of hell: Death in vain forbids his rise, Christ hath opened Paradise.

Lives again our glorious King! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Once he died our souls to save; Where’s thy victory, boasting grave

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Following our exalted Head: Made like him, like him we rise, Ours the cross, the grave, the skies.

King of glory! Soul of bliss! Everlasting life is this, Thee to know, thy power to prove, Thus to sing, and thus to love.