"Big Win"

The darkest night, He lost the fight,

They nailed Him to the cross,

His final breath, the cruel death,

And this world’s greatest loss.

How could we, compared you see,

To His love and light,

Let Him die, our lives awry,

Consumed by evil’s night.

But Sunday came, and soon the name,

Of Jesus on the wind,

The empty grave, alive to save,

A brand new life begin.

Against the pain His healing came,

For by His stripes we’re healed,

The holy fire breaks sin’s desire,

The power of God revealed.

And some sweet day we’ll hear Him say,

Death no more shall reign,

He’ll come again and in the end,

All will confess His name.

He lives, He lives, and always gives,

The grace to make us right,

To always be His child, you see,

And walking in the light.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” (1 Peter 1:3, NIV)

Remember who wrote this? It was Simon Peter, now an older man and with many years of following Jesus. I’m sure he never forgot how hopeless he felt when he denied the Lord and watched Him die a horrific death on the cross. But Sunday came! The grave was empty and Simon was one of the first to realize that Jesus was indeed alive! it was the resurrection of Jesus that gave him a new birth and a living hope. And that’s exactly why we can receive them, too. We do not need reform but regeneration. Paul wrote that if we believe God raised Jesus from the dead and confess Jesus as Lord we will be saved. Living hope makes us sure of our eternal destination and gives power to overcome the trials we face, day by day. And it’s all because we serve a living Savior. He is risen! Hallelujah!

Lord, we give You praise for Your victory over death and the grave, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.