Resurrection
24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
Luke 24:1-12 (NRSV)
STORY
(Last week I shared the life of Robert Lowry and his writing of the hymn “We Shall Gather at the River.” This week I am sharing Lowry’s composition of the Easter hymn “He Arose.”)
Robert Lowry was born in 1826 in Philadelphia. He was a popular Baptist preacher and educator. He served churches in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. He was an excellent preacher and consider preaching his primary vocation; though, he is best remembered for the hymns he composed, although he always claimed that the composition of hymns was only a sideline profession. Lowry is one of the few hymnologists who wrote both the lyrics and the melodies for his hymns. During his life he wrote over 500 hymns. In addition to being a pastor Lowry served in other capacities, the most noted is that he oversaw the publication of 20 hymnals as the music editor for Biglow & Main, located in New York City.
Lowry composed the hymn He Arose that is sung today by almost every Protestant congregation on Easter morning. The hymn is also known as Christ Arose. The story behind the writing is not dramatic, but it does reflect someone who was a very spiritual individual. During the Easter season of 1874, while having his devotions one evening, Lowry was impressed with the events associated with Christ’s resurrection, especially with these words recorded in Luke 24:6-7 which reads, “He is not here, but is risen.” Soon Lowry found himself seated at the little pump organ in the parlor of his home. And in a very spontaneous fashion, the words and music for the hymn He Arose gave expression to the thoughts that had been uppermost in his mind.
Like many gospel songs, the three stanzas basically say the same thing three different ways. Each stanza ends with “Jesus my Lord!” reflecting the early Christian affirmation that “Jesus is Lord,” as recorded in Romans 10:9-13. The chorus reads:
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!
Points to Ponder
Ø The resurrection of Jesus is the most improbable and impossible event in human history. Are you sometimes as confused about the resurrection of Jesus as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James were?
o For me: Intellectually I question the resurrection because it is an implausible and an impossible event. The resurrection of Jesus can only be entertained by faith, and it is by faith that I believe.
Ø What convinced the ladies at the tomb to believe? Do you believe? If so, what has caused you to believe?
o For me: The ladies believed because two angels spoke to them. From the story I conclude that it was a physical manifestation of the two angels, and not just a spiritual experience. I would like to encounter a physical angel, but then again maybe not as the scriptures always report that individuals who have had that experience always trembled in their presence. The guidance of the Holy Spirit are my angels along with my Christan friends who come to me as angels unaware.
Ø When others share their personal “resurrection” experience of knowing Jesus, do you sometimes entrain their testimony as idle words?
o For me: It depends on who is sharing their personal experience with me. I tend to dismiss someone who is constantly describing an extreme spiritual experience.
Ø What is your resurrection experience?
o For me: I have never had a resurrection experience as dramatic as the women experienced at the entrance to the empty tomb. I do often think of an experience that I had from my fourth-grade Sunday school class teacher at Delaware Avenue Methodist Church in Lorain, Ohio. My teacher had a picture of the most recognized paining of Jesus, which was done by William Sallman in 1924. Since I was constantly admiring it, she put it in a frame and gave it to me. For years I kept the framed picture next to my bed, as it always gave me reassurance and comfort.
Please share other Points to Ponder so I can update my list
Please share your thoughts with me – if you desire I will publish them for others to read anonymously or first name only or your entire name as you choose