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This weekend we celebrate the holiday that we know as Easter Sunday. I prefer to call it Resurrection Sunday because of its significance, but that’s not something I would fuss about.

The resurrection of Jesus is the single most pivotal event in history. Our faith as followers of Jesus hinges upon it. It is the most distinctive idea in the vast array of world religions. But why does it matter so much to us?

Something changed with Jesus’ rising from the grave. Death had always been… well, a dead end. There was no coming back. When Jesus rose from the grave, it changed the significance of death from being a dead end to a through street. Death now looms as a passage through which we all must go into something more.

That means that the power of death to hold us down has been eliminated. It is as if this ominous reality of death was suddenly arrested—stripped of its power over us.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, it’s likely that you have heard this beautiful worship song that has the feel of a hymn of celebration. I was captivated by this powerful expression the first time I heard it. But I want you to take a moment and reflect on these lyrics:

Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin
Lost without hope with no place to begin
Your love Made a way to let mercy come in
When death was arrested and my life began

Ash was redeemed only beauty remains
My orphan heart was given a name
My mourning grew quiet my feet rose to dance
When death was arrested and my life began

Released from my chains I'm a prisoner no more
My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore
He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend
When death was arrested and my life began

Our savior displayed on a criminal's cross
Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand
That's when death was arrested and my life began

In these four verse, you might see why I said it has the feel of a hymn. There is much rich theological truth expressed here. But we have to lock in on the truth that, when Jesus rose from the grave, He was making real, everlasting, spiritual life possible for us. The grip of death was broken and our life eternal was purchased.

This is the hope and power of the good news.

That makes the chorus so rich with joy:

Oh, Your grace so free
Washes over me
You have made me new
Now life begins with You
It's your endless love
Pouring down on us
You have made us new
Now life begins with You

And if you’re not excited yet, think on this bridge:

Oh, we're free, free
Forever we're free
Come join the song
Of all the redeemed
Yes, we're free free
Forever amen
When death was arrested and my life began

I think I need to just get out of the way and let you listen to this powerful song—maybe a couple of times even—to remember what it is that we are celebrating this weekend. Death has been defeated! We are free from its hold! We have life everlasting because Jesus bore the death that we deserve. That, my friends, is grace!

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6.23

Death Was Arrested, by North Point Worship

Father, help us see with new eyes how Jesus’ resurrection makes an everlasting difference for us!

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If you enjoy these musical devotional posts, let me know in the comments and feel free to suggest a song that speaks to you in a significant way.