The Hymn of the Day, With High
Delight, Let Us Unite (LSB
#483), continues the theme of joy in Christ’s resurrection. The whole Church on
earth, together with those already in heaven, as we saw in the epistle, joins
together in singing joyous songs of high praise to the risen Lord Jesus Christ,
our
salvation.
The delight we experience
as Christians comes from the faith given to us by the Holy Spirit. After His
resurrection Jesus meets two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus where he
opens the Scriptures to them. Here we see the work of the Holy Spirit working
through the Word of God and the Gospel story. The disciples’ response to this
work: “Did not our hearts burn within us on the road, while he opened to us the
Scriptures?”1
The work of the Gospel penetrated their
hearts, minds, and souls. Today our experience is just as profound as we gather
in church to hear the Gospel proclaimed and partake in the sacred meal. In this
context Christians sincerely sing with high delight let us unite in songs of
great jubilation. Our worship is a response to the faith that God has first given
us. It is a response full of sincere delight in the realities of Easter Day. As
the hymn puts it, we sing Jesus Christ, our salvation to set us free forever.
The entire Easter drama, from Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to his celebrating the first Eucharist with his disciples, to his sacrifice on the cross, his descent into hell to proclaim His victory, to His glorious resurrection, this is what we live to tell. Jesus, because he is God, cannot but be raised from the dead. Jesus is ris’n and sends to all earth’s ends good news to save ev’ry nation. This is what the delighted, faith-filled disciples do when Jesus vanishes from their sight. They immediately go back to Jerusalem, find the eleven disciples and say the Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon! Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of bread.
The story that we sing is
quite the story. The second stanza captures this beautifully, True God, He first
from death has burst forth into life, all subduing. His enemy doth vanquished
lie; His death has been death’s undoing. This story is like no other story.
God, out of His great love becomes man so He can die to save His creation and
in doing so crushes Satan. Satan no longer has dominion over death! “And yours
shall be like victory o’er death and grave,” Saith He, who gave His life for
us, life renewing. When we hear this astounding story of love and sacrifice we
cannot help but let praises ring!
This is the wonderful thing
about being a baptized Christian, we are redeemed. No matter where we find
ourselves in life we are the Lords and he will sustain us day by day. The hymn
says so shall His love give us above, from misery and death set free, all joy
and full consolation. The Lord has made us his in our Baptism, he has done it.
This is the surest foundation a person can stand on. Not only are we redeemed,
but we are loved too. This is the consolation for every Christian, we are:
redeemed, loved, comforted, and sustained; because we are the Lord’s. [2]
Grant that we may with thankful hearts receive these great mercies and express our gratitude, not only with our lips but also in our lives as we give ourselves to Your service and walk before You in holiness and righteousness all our days. Deliver us from sin and error, from the frailties of the flesh, the allurements of this present age, and the temptations of the devil. Give us faith that works in love, hope that never disappoints, kindness that never fails, confidence in You that never wavers, patience that does not grow weary, and courage always to be ready to confess Christ, that we may live in Your mercy and die in Your peace; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [3]
[1]
Jesus Appears to His Disciples by the Sea, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts copyright © WELS for personal and
congregational use
[2] https://www.cuchicago.edu/globalassets/www-digital-team-media-files/documents-and-images/academics/centers-of-excellence/center-for-church-music/devotions/hymn-of-the-day-devotion-easter-3-may-4-2014.pdf
[3]
Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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