April 2021 - LPNI

 

 

 

I love the great hymns of faith that center in our Savior Jesus Christ.  These hymns teach the Christian faith to the next generation in the face of countless challenges.  These hymns bring joy to God’s people in all circumstances of life.  They comfort the sick and hurting.  They sustain those called by God to heal and care for the sick.  They bring God’s peace to the dying.  They console the grieving.

 

 

“The Day of Resurrection” is one of the oldest expressions of the resurrection of Jesus and the good news of Easter found in most hymnals.  Its origin is rooted in the liturgy of the Greek Orthodox Church.  It was written by John of Damascus, c.696-c.754.  John was a Christian monk and doctor of the church.  He defended the teaching of the Trinity and the Incarnation of Jesus.  He proclaimed the joy, triumph and thanksgiving that is ours because Christ the Lord has risen.

 

 

Easter is the most joyous celebration of the church.  Jesus, very God of very God himself, died for our sins and rose victorious on the third day just as he promised.  The resurrection of Jesus is the final convincing proof that the Father accepted the payment of his Son for the sins of the whole world.  The resurrection of Jesus assures us that we stand forgiven in Christ right now.  It assures us that nothing in this world can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  It assures us that the troubles of this time, no matter how deep and dark they are, cannot begin to compare to the glory that awaits us in heaven.  The resurrection of Christ assures us that our bodies will be raised from the grave and both in body and soul we will spend eternity with all of God’s people singing the praises of our loving God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  

 

 

No matter what is happening right now in your life listen to the joy that is yours in Christ the Lord who has defeated the grave. Jesus proclaims: Because I live, you will live also. (John 14:19b NKJV) I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this? (John 11:23-24 NKJV) Yes, do believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.  Yes, do live in the joy of Christ that is yours now and that has no end!

 

 

The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad,

 

The passover of gladness, The passover of God.

 

From death to life eternal, From sin’s dominion free,

 

Our Christ has brought us over with hymns of victory.

 

 

Now let the heavens be joyful, Let earth its song begin,

 

Let all the world keep triumph and all that is there – in.

 

Let all things, seen and unseen, Their notes of gladness blend;

 

For Christ the Lord has risen, Our joy that has no end!

 

 

 

Pastor John Laux

 

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

 

Jacksonville, IL 62650 USA

 

revjal87@yahoo.com

 

(217) 243-3939