O God of the Empty Tomb, God of Triumph and Glory,
Today we rejoice with trembling hearts and lifted hands, for this is the day that death died. This is the dawn that shattered the night. This is the moment that turned the curse into a blessing, the cross into a crown, and the grave into a gateway. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
You are not there in the tomb, for You have risen, just as You said. The stone is rolled away. The seal is broken. And the silence of the grave has given way to the shout of heaven “He is not here, He is risen!” (Mark 16:6) The resurrection is the keystone of the arch of our salvation. And we, the redeemed, now stand under that arch shielded by mercy, clothed in righteousness, held fast by a victory we did not win but forever reap.
Because of the resurrection, we have hope that is real, eternal, and unstoppable. So today, we rise from ashes, we rise from despair, we rise from fear not in our own strength, but in the power of the risen Christ. “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.” (Romans 8:11)
Lord Jesus, You walked out of that grave with mail scarred hands triumphant eyes. You crushed the serpent's head. You silenced the accuser. You rewrote the ending of the story not with despair, but with eternal joy. We praise You, the Lion of Judah roaring not in vengeance, but in victory. You are the Lamb who was slain, yet now You stand, living and reigning forevermore. “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12)
Resurrection is not a metaphor, it’s a Person. He rose, therefore we rise. So we rise out of our tombs of shame, out of the darkness of sin, into the radiant light of grace. We are not just saved; we are raised. Not just forgiven, we are made alive. “You have turned my mourning into dancing, You have clothed me with gladness.” (Psalm 30:11)
The resurrection of Jesus is the death of death. So today we sing not as those who grieve without hope, but as those who have tasted resurrection life and long for more of it. Lord, make us resurrection people. Let us carry resurrection in our bones, in our words, in our actions. Let resurrection power flood every corner of our lives. Let it wake up the dead places in our hearts, roll away the stones we’ve settled behind, and call us into new life, over and over again. “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” (Philippians 3:10)
We pray not just to be inspired by the resurrection, but transformed by it. Let us walk in resurrection power, speak with resurrection authority, and love with resurrection compassion. We remember the cost the cross, the tomb, the blood. But we also rejoice in the crown, the glory, and the kingdom that will never end.
“You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.” (Psalm 16:10) And in Christ, that promise lives forever. The grave could not hold our King. And because He lives, we will too. So now, with all creation, with angels and saints, with those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we cry out with joy. Hallelujah! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
Let our lives echo the victory of this day until every tongue confesses, every knee bows, and the earth is filled with the glory of the risen King. In the name of the One who conquered death and lives forevermore, Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord
In the name of the One who conquered death and lives forevermore, Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord
Amen.