The Privileged Life: See, What a Morning!

(Photo: Pixabay)

But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” (Luke 24:2)

This Easter morning has been…profound and glorious.

It began with a breathtaking view from the hill above our church at daybreak—the first “sunrise service” I’ve ever attended. There was something mysterious, promising, and enthralling about meeting our Savior there to worship Him.

As we listened to Scriptures and lifted our voices in song, a mockingbird in one of the full-bloom dogwood trees began singing boisterously along with us. It reminded me that all things that have life and breath shall praise the Lord!

We reconvened later for an indoor worship service that included, among other Easter hymns, Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from The Messiah. The tune following me through the day, however, is from “Resurrection Hymn—See, What a Morning.” Here’s the first stanza:

See, what a morning, gloriously bright, With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;

Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light, As the angels announce, “Christ is risen!”

See God’s salvation plan, wrought in love, Borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,

Fulfilled in Christ, the Man, for He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!*

(Listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjkg9LmkRmU)

We don’t know what the weather was like on the morning of Jesus’ resurrection, except that it started out in the dark—the women who had followed Jesus got up in the wee hours and started out for Jesus’ tomb before sunup, to anoint His body with spices appropriate for burial. 

These ladies had no idea how to accomplish this. The stone over the tomb entrance was impossible for them to move. Roman guards would be posted there as well, blocking their efforts. But they forged ahead in faith. 

What they found was astonishing—an extraordinary light from an angel at an empty tomb. Scripture says the angel’s “countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.” (Matthew 28:3) 

Christ’s followers went from complete darkness into overwhelming light…from abject despair to joyful exhilaration…from seeing His undeniable death to finding He was truly alive.

This morning, I found myself in their company, drawn to the awe and wonder of a story so powerful that, even after two millennia, it continues to fuel our faith in a God who loves us…a God who loves us enough to share everlasting life with us.

Today, and this week—wherever you are in the world—I pray that His Holy Spirit will reveal to you the glorious hope found in Christ alone, firmly rooted in His resurrection. If you are walking in darkness, may He shine His blinding light into your heart to bring you out of despair. 

May He lift you up to a heart-song that begins at sunrise and continues throughout your day, so that you can say with the psalmist, “From the rising of the sun to its going down, the Lord’s name is to be praised.” (Psalm 113:3)

Blessings to you, for a glorious and happy Easter—and the beginning of a new week, abundant in joy with Him.

Glorious Jesus, what a morning for You, all those Easters ago—when You conquered death once and for all, to bring us everlasting life. We praise You for Your victory, for the hope You give us, for Your awesome power and glory revealed to us even now. May You grant us new joy today and in the year ahead to follow You in faith and joy. In Your blessed name, Amen. 

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© Copyright 2022 Nancy C. Williams, Lightbourne Creative (text and photography)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

*By Keith Getty, Stuart Townend https://digitalsongsandhymns.com/songs/3785

To learn how you can know Jesus as Your Savior, Lord, and Friend, here’s some good news:https://lightbournecreative.com/good-news-for-you/

The view from above our church in the Appalachian mountains


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