Walking in the Truth after Easter
Today's Scriptural Truth
"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters & like loud thunder, shouting,"'Hallelujah! For our Lord Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice & give Him glory!' . . . " Revelation 19:6
A Christian music video: He Reigns, by the Newsboys.
Today's Devotional Thoughts
Alleluia! Praise the Lord!After all, that's what it means. Don't believe me? See for yourself.
Lutherans aren't much for getting too evocative during worship. For example, you won't ordinarily hear us shout out [or even murmur] an "Amen!", let alone an "Alleluia!" during a sermon. We're taught early on that the focus in worship should be on anything other than ourselves. [For those of you who can relate, picture yourself shouting out an "Alleluia" during a sermon at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Concordia, Mo.] *
* This is not meant to be an indictment of my home congregation. Some of my fondest childhood memories are worshipping there. I'm trying to stress a point. Of course, if I have to use a footnote to explain myself???
By no means am I criticizing my brothers & sisters who lack such inhibitions! In fact, I harbor a little envy that I am unable to express that kind of emotion in response to what I hear from the lectern or pulpit during a worship service. I have learned to let myself "sway" a little bit while standing to sing a hymn, but I digress . . .
Where was I?. "Alleluia" [or "Hallelujah"] means "Praise the Lord."
We don't mind saying it during the Easter season too much. In fact, it's a standard response. The preacher says, "Alleluia! He is risen!" And the congregation responds, "He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"
It took me years to feel comfortable with even that response. [Again, must have been my conservative upbringing. Or my bashful personality?] Too bad, because if there is ever a time to respond with a heart-felt, "Alleluia," it would be when we hear the Good News proclaimed:
Jesus is not dead! Jesus didn't remain hanging lifeless on the cross! Our God did not leave us abandoned in our sins! He did not leave Satan grinning, wringing His hands diabolically at the thought of getting His wormy hands on us at the moment of our death.
No! The Tomb that lay empty on Easter morning? That Tomb was empty for a reason . . .
That Tomb was empty because . . .
Jesus is risen!
He is risen indeed!
Alleluia!
Today's Prayer *
St. 1 Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!
St. 2 Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ our heavn'ly king, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross & grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem & save, Alleluia!
St. 3 But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!
Praise Him, all ye heavn'ly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, & Holy Ghost, Alleluia!
* Another favorite Easter hymn: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today, LSB #457
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