Reflections on Easter (With Some Song Recommendations)

From Bob Kauflin @ http://worshipmatters.blogs.com

Churches throughout the world will celebrate Easter next month, following a church calendar that Christians have used for centuries. Many may also do something unique for Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and/or Good Friday. It should go without saying that Jesus' substitutionary death for our sins and his victorious triumph over the grave should be our focus not only every Easter, but every week and every day. This is the Gospel of Christ, who is our life - the Gospel that we must continue in and never shift from, the Gospel in which we stand, the Gospel that strengthens us, the Gospel that has been entrusted to us, the Gospel for which we are called to suffer, the Gospel that is of first importance (Col. 1:23; 1 Cor. 15:1; Rom. 16:25; 1 Thess. 2:4; 2 Tim. 1:8; 1 Cor. 15:3). We have no access to God apart from Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:19-22). Our worship is only acceptable to God through him (1 Pet. 2:4-5). In addition, the hosts of heaven are caught up in worshipping the Lamb who was slain to ransom a people for God from "every tribe and language and people and nation" (Rev. 5:9; 5:12; 13:8). How can we NOT rehearse, celebrate and respond to the glorious Gospel in our worship?

But Easter Sunday and the events leading up to it provide numerous opportunities. First, it serves churches that don't have a regular emphasis on the work of our Savior. While the glorious realities of the cross and resurrection can certainly be reduced to moralistic encouragements or some vague promise that "God can help you overcome your crosses, too," there's always the possibility that the earth-shattering news of the Gospel will bring new life to dead hearts. Second, when wisely led, special services give us another occasion to rehearse the realities upon which we base our lives. And what better reason to meet than to worship God for his kindness in send Jesus to save us from our sins? Third, for now many non-Christians still feel an obligation to attend church during the Christmas and Easter seasons. What a wonderful opportunity to clearly, succinctly, and lovingly preach the good news that God has sent a Savior to free us from the penalty and power of our sins.

So we sing. Last year, I did a post on Songs for the Resurrection. This year I wanted to make you aware of songs that Sovereign Grace writers have written that focus on the death and resurrection of the Savior. I pray they'll be an encouragement to you. Clicking on the song title will take you to the lyrics, while clicking on the CD title will take you to the CD page.

Songs that Focus on the Crucifixion

Alas and Did My Savior Bleed (Songs for the Cross Centered Life)
At the Foot of the Cross (King of Grace)
By Your Wounds (Glory of the Ages)
For Me (Everlasting)
For Me, For You (Overflow 3)
Here is Love (All We Long to See)
How Deep (Valley of Vision)
I Look to the Cross (Love Beyond Degree)
I Love the Cross (Everlasting)
It Should Have Been Me (All For You)
My Savior's Precious Blood (FUSE)
Perfect Lamb of God (Worship God Live)
The Glory of the Cross (King of Grace)
The Look (Songs for the Cross Centered Life)
The Precious Blood (Valley of Vision)
This Fathomless Love (Songs for the Cross Centered Life)
We Sing Your Mercies (All For You)
Only in the Cross (Songs for the Cross Centered Life)

Songs for Resurrection Sunday

Before the Throne of God Above (Songs for the Cross Centered Life)
""Behold him there the risen Lamb"
Behold the Lamb (King of Grace)
"But look again, the cross stands empty now and he is risen"
Greater Love (No Greater Love)
"You are the mighty warrior, Lord, who broke the back of hell"
Hallelujah, What a Savior (Upward: The Bob Kauflin Hymns Project)
"Lifted up was he to die, 'It is finished' was his cry, now in heav'n exalted high"
He is Risen (Overflow 1)
"Spread the glad truth far and wide, Christ once dead is now alive"
I Will Glory in My Redeemer (Songs for the Cross Centered Life)
"HIs triumph song I'll ever sing"
Jesus Came to Earth (Awesome God)
"Jesus came to earth, he lived a perfect life, he died upon the cross, then he rose from the dead"
Lift Up Your Eyes (All We Long to See)
"God has exalted the Lamb who was slain"The Glories of Calvary (Songs for the Cross Centered Life)
"Your saints below join with your saints above, rejoicing in the Risen Lamb"
The Gospel Song (Songs for the Cross Centered Life)
"On the cross he took my sin, by his death I live again"