This is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
– the tomb is empty! They crucified Jesus + laid His body here almost 2000
years ago. He rested His Sabbath + on the 3rd day: He is Risen! Christ
conquered sin + death when He rose from the dead! He broke every idol,
destroyed every fear, vanquished every -ism. Nothing has ever been the same
since, nor will it ever be! He is making all things new; He makes even people
new! Why do you seek for living among the dead entertainments of this world? Their
graves promise, but can never fulfill; they are empty of life.
A year ago on Easter Sunday, I was preaching this
Resurrection message in Sri Lanka. Suddenly, cell phones started ringing in the
congregation: countenances changed: some began weeping, some left, others just
sat shocked, wondering what to do? I knew something dreadful was happening, but
I had no understanding of what that was.
Amid the confusion, I thought it best to finish + was handing
my microphone over to my interpreter, the pastor.
The worship team had picked up their instruments + I
heard the boom-box beat - a simple, powerful da-ra-ta-ta!
I sensed God was not finished, I felt His heartbeat
for His people + I pulled back the mic + started to sing: ‘Rise up!’ + the boom
box echoed: ‘da-ra-ta-ta!’ ‘Rise Up… da-ra-ta-ta!’ ‘Rise Up! … and then Pastor
Cham responded in Sinhalese: ‘Nagi tami!’ The Spirit moved… our song grew
stronger … and people rose to their feet and joined us singing together! Fear
broke as we focused on He who is Faithful; the Spirit of Christ rose in our
midst, through our confusion and pain, just like He did so many Easters ago …
again… still… forever!
Only later did I learn the horrific news that
terrorist bombers had attacked Sri Lankan churches during their Easter celebrations
+ over 250 had been slain: families destroyed, children senselessly slaughtered…
but never in vain. Jesus’ Blood has never lost its power. The blood of the
martyrs is the seed of the church.
This Easter, our entire world faces an invisible enemy
attack, but I can hear that same boom-box beat calling His people to Rise Up! On
both wings: His Word + His Spirit: Suffering + Healing!
Can you hear it? Break out of distracting pandemic fear. Fill
your heart, mind + mouth with His new song:
Rise up! - da-ra-ta-ta!
Rise up! - Nagi tami!
Do you hear the sound? … it’s growing stronger; it’s
filling the whole earth!
Rise up! - da-ra-ta-ta!
Rise Up! … in His Word + His Spirit!
Rise Up! … Christ has risen, can you hear?
Rise Up! … Jesus heals every sickness!
Rise Up! …His
Love destroys every fear!
RISE UP!
