Happy Resurrection Day: It is Finished!!

Hey Folks,

In all the yearly excitement of bunnies, spring weather, egg hunts, and family get-togethers, let us not forget the real reason for Easter.

Easter is not really about bunnies. It's about the Lamb who hung on a cross for us. It's not about the cheerful spring weather we all love. It's about the dark cloud of doom that hung over Jesus' disciples from Good Friday until Resurrection Sunday. This day is not about egg hunts. It's about the sudden disappearance of our Savior's body. And the joy with which we gather our family around us is a pale shadow of the joy Jesus' followers felt as they gathered around their risen Messiah.

Although the culture may tell us otherwise, Jesus is the true reason for this season and our entire Christian faith is built on this historic day. If the crucifixion and resulting resurrection had not occurred, all our beliefs are for naught...salvation could not be achieved without the sacrifice of a perfect man, and death couldn't be conquered once and for all without the resurrection of that man.

As I contemplated what to write for a Resurrection Sunday post, the Lord brought to mind a song I wrote (Lyrics only...no music accompaniment yet) in late January. I'm not much of a poet...much less a lyricist, but every once in awhile God gives me the inspiration and guides my pen through the process. This time, it was the words "His life wasn't taken. Instead He freely gave it away." that stuck with me and became the basis for this song.

Honestly, there were days I thought this song would never come together...especially the chorus. Every time I tried to draft a chorus, it turned into another verse - until I had the entire song written except for that one key element of a song... a chorus that sums up a song's message. Finally, as I was reading the Gospels one night before bed, about to give up on this piece altogether, three words stood out to me more than usual. I realized that these three words had, in a way, rewritten the past, present and future. Thus was born the centerpiece and title of this song. As a non-lyricist/songwriter, I am not equipped to judge whether these lyrics have any musical potential, but the magnificence of Easter became all the more important to me and I grew in my faith through the process. My prayer is that these paltry words of mine will inspire you to reflect deeply upon the good news of Jesus' resurrection 2,000+ years ago that continues to change lives today. Folks, don't let your heart be distracted by the cultural Easter celebrations such that you forget what Resurrection Sunday is really all about.

It Is Finished

1. He shamefully hung on a rugged cross made of wood

His blood-stained body arched in suffering

A sinner's death for the only sinless One

Despised and rejected by those He had created

He paid the price that I owed

2. On Calvary's hill He remained till the very end

Though angels stood by awaiting His command

He refused to call upon them for rescue

And yet His final whispered words were not of defeat

But claiming His victory

Chorus:

It is finished

The cry resounded through history

Rewriting this sinner's story

It is finished

The devil did tremble at the words

For it meant vict'ry tis the Lord's

It is finished

3. It was an unquenchable love for me and for you

That allowed those rusty nails to pierce Him through

On His willing back was my punishment laid

He descended to hell to rob the grave of its hold

Eternal life was the prize

Chorus

Bridge:

His life wasn't taken for He gave it away

Not even death could defeat the Giver of Life

No earthly grave could contain the unearthly King

The battle was fought and my Savior won the war

Chorus x2

Outro:

It is finished

Because of my Jesus

It is finished

Until next time, remember...CHRIST IS RISEN! He is Risen Indeed!

And for those of you in the mood for some 'real' Resurrection music, here's a few of my favorites:)