Eric's Beijing Diary

Easter. Woke up this morning wondering what kind of day it was going to be. I put on some music and while I was getting dressed, the song that happened to be playing caught my attention: Up from the Grave He Arose! I know, it could have been any other song, but I have nearly 80 songs in that play list, and it is configured to select songs at random, so, well, you know, I just think God wanted me to hear that song. It was an instrumental, but that's OK, because I know the words. But when you think about it, that really is the message of Easter, isn't it? The cares of life so quickly occupy our attention, and it is so easy to get distracted. And sometimes the news of the day leaves one feeling none too optimistic about the world. But Christ arose, and God has put all things under His feet (Ephesians 1:22).

I was late getting to the church, because it's a little difficult to make the connection coming in from the countryside where the college is located. But the kind people there still managed to find a seat for me toward the front. I sat down, and the choir stood up. Can you guess what song they sang? Here it is:

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain

Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain