“But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4–6).
The redemptive work of Christ was impelled by His great love for us. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Best of all, it is fully done; nothing remains to be done on our part. “It is finished,” He cried, nailed to the sacrificial tree (John 19:30). This victory cry and the vanquishing of the enemy which it signaled, form the thoughts behind verse three of our study hymn, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.”
Love’s redeeming work is done, Allelujah. Fought the fight the battle’s won, Allelujah. Death in vain forbids Him rise, Allelujah. Christ hath opened Paradise, Allelujah.
As Charles Wesley wrote this song, he had more in mind than Christ’s resurrection day. Christ not only rose from the dead in history, He is risen today! Years later He even appeared unto John and proclaimed, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18). And then He promised, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).
How can we gain sweet redemption and enter into this paradise? “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). “Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (II Corinthians 2:14). JDM
