Vainly they watch His bed Jesus my Saviour
Vainly they seal the dead Jesus my Lord
Death cannot keep his prey Jesus my Saviour
He tore the bars away Jesus my Lord
Christ Arose 1874
By: Robert Lowry (1826-1899)
Listen to this modern version of this resurrection hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we continue our journey through this penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.
Death
Death is personified here. It takes a bodily form almost. What comes to mind is the Grim Reaper, with his dark cloak and ominous scythe. But even more importantly than whatever image or symbol comes to mind, it is clear it could not keep Jesus!
Jesus had become the prey of Death. It even appeared as though Death had won, taking the life of Jesus, but he could not keep it. And Death could not keep Jesus.
Death cannot keep his prey Jesus my Saviour
God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:24 ESV
It was not possible for Him to be held by death! It was impossible for death to hold Him. The sharp painful emotion caused by death has been loosed. That is the One we worship! That is the One we adore! The resurrected Son of God, who died for our sins but is alive forevermore! Hallelujah!
Death is a relentless predator. He thought he had won when Jesus died, and that he could hold his prey. Wrong! When Jesus exited the grave He demonstrated power over death, the same power that is at work in all who believe and one day will raise us up. Thank Him for that power.
RESONATE!
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the turning point of history because it changed the impact of death. Even though we die, we have confidence we will be raised up just like Jesus. We will look at how to be certain you can avail yourself of that hope below, but first simply thank Jesus for resurrection power. Take a few moments right now and thank Him.
Free
Death seems to be an inevitable sentence each of us must face. But it is not so because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the life that emanates from it. Disciples have been dying for 2000 years, but death no longer means the same thing because of what Jesus did, and the promise He made for us. There is no death sentence for those who are in Christ Jesus.
He tore the bars away Jesus my Lord
Jesus said…“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 ESV
Death could not keep Him, and so it will not be able to keep any who believe in Him either. Do you believe? Reflect on these incredible promises made by the One who is the resurrection and life. Though we die, yet shall we live. We need not fear death. Thanks be to God!
Satan thought he had imprisoned Jesus, taking Him captive in His death, but Jesus tore away the bars of that presumed prison. We will do the same, and can even live in victory over lesser prisons daily. We need simply to believe. How would you answer the question Jesus asked, “Do you believe this?”
RESONATE!
Few ever realize the freedom that Jesus makes available to us here through the gateway of belief. We need not fear death. That reality has implications not only on how we face death, but also how we face life. We can live free of the fear of death. Are you free today? All you have to do is believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Sounds simple, but applying it to living can be difficult. Ask the Spirit to help you live free in resurrection power today.
Jesus, I believe you are the resurrection and the life. This allows me to face death differently, and live in freedom. Teach me how to walk in that freedom every day. In Jesus name. Amen.
Resurrected Thinking!
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Podcast 27.3 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Vainly they watch His bed Jesus my Saviour
So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. Matthew 27:66 ESV
The Jews were concerned Jesus disciples would come and take His body then assert He had risen as He promised, so they pleaded with Pilate who let them seal the tomb and post a guard. They did not realize their seal and watch would be useless. Give praise to the risen One!
Vainly they seal the dead Jesus my Lord
And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:2-3 ESV
His disciples found an empty tomb and still struggled to believe it. I wonder how often we are guilty of the same disbelief, or at least slow belief. Jesus has shown us time and time again His victory over the grave. Do you sometimes struggle to believe? Praise the Lord for His patience.
Death cannot keep his prey Jesus my Saviour
God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:24 ESV
It was not possible for Him to be held by death! It was impossible for death to hold Him. The sharp painful emotion caused by death has been loosed. That is the One we worship! That is the One we adore! The resurrected Son of God, who died for our sins but is alive forevermore! Hallelujah!
He tore the bars away Jesus my Lord
Jesus said…“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 ESV
Death could not keep Him, and so it will not be able to keep any who believe in Him either. Do you believe? Reflect on these incredible promises made by the One who is the resurrection and life. Though we die, yet shall we live. We need not fear death. Thanks be to God!
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
Vainly they watch His bed Jesus my Saviour
Vainly they seal the dead Jesus my Lord
Death cannot keep his prey Jesus my Saviour
He tore the bars away Jesus my Lord
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Living Faith Expunges Your Death Sentence appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
Death cannot keep his prey Jesus my Saviour – https://pixabay.com/photos/death-dark-black-horror-raven-2577486/
He tore the bars away Jesus my Lord – https://www.shutterstock.com/search/prison+bars+hands
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