Risen and Exalted One
The song continues with these words:
Risen and exalted One,
Jesus.
It's been quite a while since Easter this year, and I wonder if you have still been celebrating the resurrection, or if it's kind of gotten out of your mind now that Easter is behind us.
The truth is, the fact that Jesus is risen is really the centre of our faith.
Why the Resurrection Matters
In fact, Paul was quite adamant about this. In 1 Corinthians 15:14, he says, “If Christ has not been raised from the dead, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead.”
And a few verses later he says again, “If Christ has not been raised from the dead, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”
But then he says in 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” And then he says with great joy at the end of the chapter, “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
This is a good thing to remember every day of your life, friends, is that Jesus is the risen and exalted one. Because Jesus rose from the dead miraculously, Christianity exists. Without that, He would have just been a deluded prophet who came and died a martyr's death. But no, that is not the end of the story. His resurrection defeated the power of death; it defeated the power of sin, and you and I can now have eternal life because death has been defeated.
Living in Resurrection Power
And so I hope that you're going to be singing: Jesus, Jesus, risen and exalted one today. He is - He's exalted. He was raised from the dead miraculously. What a wonderful, powerful God we serve.
And friends, remember: the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available for you and I (Ephesians 1:19-20). What great news as you go into your day-to-day - hold on to it, and may it give you hope and strength and power.
Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him, and we too can persevere through life's challenges by keeping that eternal joy in view. Commit this year to making choices that lead to lasting joy rather than temporary pleasure, in light of the reward awaiting faithful servants.