Arise, My Love

That Sabbath day must have been the hardest one in all of history. That Sabbath day while Jesus rested in the tomb. While all of heaven rejoiced because evil had been defeated, earth was shrouded in darkness and sadness at the loss of the Creator. Everything seemed hopeless. Seemingly, evil had indeed triumphed. The grave seemed to have won. He had given all, made the ultimate sacrifice, but in that moment it appeared not to be enough. Oh, but the glorious, glorious ending was yet to come! HE DIDN'T STAY DEAD!! He had already won the victory, He was just waiting on His Father's timing to declare it. 

   Early the next morning, just after the darkest part of the night had passed, an earthquake shook the ground as the mightiest angel in God's army sped to earth on an important mission. I can only imagine the excitement up in heaven as they awaited this grand moment. I love the scene as depicted by my favorite song:

ARISE MY LOVE

Not a word was heard

at the tomb that day.
Just shuffling of soldiers feet
as they guarded the grave.
One day, two days,
three days had past.
Could it be that Jesus
breathed His last?

Could it be that His Father
had forsaken him?
Turned his back on his son
dispising our sin.
All hell seemed to whisper
"Just forget Him, He's dead."
Then the Father looked down
to his son and he said.

Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer
has a hold on you
No more death's sting
No more suffering
Arise... Arise... my love.

The Earth trembled
and the tomb began to shake,
and like lightening
from Heaven the stone was rolled away.
And as dead men
the guards they all stood there in fright
As the power of love
displayed its might
Then suddenly a melody
filled the air
Riding wings of wind,
it was everywhere
The words all creation
had been longing to hear
The sweet sound of victory,
so loud and clear.

Arise, my love.
Arise, my love.
The grave no longer has a hold on you.
No more death's sting
no more suffering
Arise... arise...

Sin, where are your shackles?
Death, where is your sting?
Hell; has been defeated.
The grave could not hold the king.

Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer
has a hold on you
No more death's sting
No more suffering
Arise... Arise... Arise
Lyrics found <a href="http://phonelyrics.com">here</a>

Arise, my Love, called God to His Son. Come forth as the Victor and let everyone see that You are the resurrection and the life! Let everyone see the power of love at work.

   Those 3 days changed life for us, forever. I believe God offers a similar call to each one of us. From whatever tomb of darkness we might be lying in (maybe depression or anger or doubt. Or possibly loneliness, discouragement and failure), from whatever impossible situation we might find ourselves in, He calls to us. "Come forth my beloved one! The power of Love has set you free! You are no longer bound by the chains of sin, death has no more hold on you. Because of what Jesus did, because He loves you immeasurably, because  He conquered for you, the stone has been rolled away. Arise, my love. Arise from sin and shame and go forth in victory. Arise."