Christ is Risen! Halleluia
Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Psalm 118 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).
‘I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.’ Psalm 118:17
Lancashire is unthinkable without its football teams, and I love going to football matches. My shameful secret is that I support an over-resourced, southern team, so I attend as a neutral. But what I love is the raw and untrammelled emotion.
Most Lancashire sides have experienced turmoil, deep disappointment and the threat of extinction to their clubs. So when they score and if they win, the joy is uncontainable. The fans scream and sing and jump and chant, unable to control their utter delight.
That should be our mood on Easter morning. We have faced the threat of extinction. We were in danger of death because of our failure to live in God’s way. But today the most incredible victory has been won. Jesus has stepped in and died our death in our place.
So as on Easter morning He rises to life, we rise to life with Him. Today we are set free to delight in the gift of our humanity, to live a new life, to be in right relationship with God for ever. What words can possibly express a joy like that? Like the fans, we should be leaping and dancing and singing this morning, screaming out our joy at the very tops of our voices!
And Psalm 118 is a great way to do just that. What a wonderful explosion of praise this psalm is. The psalmist has known danger and jeopardy, has been hemmed in by enemies, and pushed hard, even to the point of falling altogether. But the Lord has come to the rescue. His right hand has done valiantly and now the gates of righteousness have been thrown open. Every word of this fabulous hymn prophesies the Resurrection.
And the psalm doesn’t just express joy in this great victory. Verse 17 also tells us our response to it. ‘Recount the deeds of the Lord.’
This Easter Day, rejoice in what Jesus has done to set you free. Then, like the women at the tomb, rush out to recount his deeds. Tell the world the good news. For Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for the joy of your Easter triumph. As today we celebrate your victory, send us to recount your deeds, that all the world might know your gift of Resurrection life. Amen.
The Rt Revd Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn.