Easter Sunday

By Joni Eareckson Tada: When I was a child, I sang a lot of hymns with my family. As a five-year-old, my imagination went wild the first time I heard everyone singing, “Up from The Grave He Arose.”

It was Easter Sunday, and everyone stood up in church to sing. I followed my older sisters on the first verse: “Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior! Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord.”

But then my sisters caught me by surprise when they belted out the chorus: “Up from the grave he arose!” Everyone else kept singing, but I was stuck on those first six words. Up from the gravy he rose? That’s what my five-year-old ears heard. I couldn’t imagine such a thing. The Lord buried in brown gravy? You know, the kind Aunt Kitty served with her roast beef? I was so confused! That is, until I learned to read, and with reading came understanding.

My story about a little girl’s misunderstanding provides an Easter lesson: when we read and understand the Bible, with it comes faith. And faith knows how to discern the truth about things—even the meaning of a hymn’s lyrics.

We need guidance—whether we’re new believers, long-time Christians, or seekers of the faith. And Easter is a great time to explain the meaning behind Christ’s death and resurrection to a friend or relative—especially one who doesn’t know Jesus. Because while everyone knows that Easter is an important time on the church calendar, not everyone understands what it’s all about. So, here’s your chance to share the Gospel! Because up from the grave Christ arose for the salvation of all who would but believe.

Use the link below to download our Holy Week guide for more Easter blessings, and be sure to share it with a friend!