The New Hope Choir proclaims the glory of Jesus in song

Sunday, 03.31.2002
Arise, My Love!  Easter is one of my favorite holidays, second only to Christmas. While Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, Easter proclaims the miracle of His resurrection. Through His death and resurrection, we place our hope of heaven and a restored relationship between God and man. The grave could not hold the perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God. He has the victory and He lives today.

Both of these events are touched with the supernatural power of God, but through the passing of time, we have managed to dilute the reason for these observances. Christmas is not about Santa Claus and Easter is not about the Easter Bunny and colored eggs. Isn't it funny how society likes to make these things all warm and fuzzy and convolute the significance of spiritual holidays. You know, sometimes we just need to stop worrying about being politically correct and be more concerned about conveying the true meaning of these events. But that's just in my humble opinion. I don't want to bum you out if you're into sitting on Santa's lap or hunting for pastel-colored eggs while wearing a pair of pink paper bunny ears on your head. 

I have been excitedly anticipating this Easter. It would be our first Easter at New Hope Christian Fellowship and I knew that it would nothing short of spectacular. Of course, as Pastor Wayne mentioned this morning, the purpose of the flashy lights, singing, dancing, and stage performances are not meant to be entertaining, it is to give us a spirit of celebration and praise to Jesus. It's merely a sampling of things to come when someday we join Him in heaven and will praise Him for all eternity with the choirs of angels. This earthly performance will surely pale in comparison to what we have to look forward to.

The jubilant and victorious spirit in the air was heady and made me long for more opportunities to praise and worship Him. The reminder of His sacrifice and miraculous resurrection made my heart overflow with joy and thankfulness.  There's nothing like music and singing to lift my spirits and bring me directly into the throne room.

Ukulele virtuoso, Jake Shimabukuro, opened the service with a phenomenal performance. As expected with any Jake Shimabukuro performance, the energy level was high and he got the entire arena rocking!  

In an interview with Jake on the Channel 2 News, he was quick to acknowledge that Easter eggs are fun, but we should give "praise to where it's due -- to the Man Upstairs." It's great to see talented performers and public figures unashamedly professing their faith.

More songs and dancing followed; a 100-member choir sang praises in a mighty voice. The result was nothing less than glorious.

There was a video testimonial to a changed life, with camera work that resembled a "Real World" interview. The testimonial was from a young man who overcame alcoholism and restored his relationship with his estranged family after coming to accept Jesus. It was inspiring to see the Lord working in the lives of others.

Then the sermon by Pastor Wayne. Engaging as always, he brought his points home with striking analogies and stories that captivated the congregation and touched their hearts.

They ended the service with "Arise, My Love" with singers, Creative Signers (dance using sign language) and Hula dancers. Every time I hear this song, it gives me chicken skin ("goosebumps" for you non-Hawaii folks). I first heard this song back when I was attending Makiki Christian Church in my Jr. High and High School years. A trio who called themselves "Sojourn" had recorded a 3-song demo tape and "Arise, My Love" was one of those songs. They sang it at an Easter service and I was brought nearly to tears as I listened to the lyrics. I hadn't heard the song since -- until today. The affect was still the same. I found myself blinking back tears as the lyrics warmed my heart, making me realize both the sacrifice Jesus made for us as well as the endless love of the Father. I will leave you with these words. Read, reflect and rejoice... because he has risen!

Arise, My Love
Recorded by Newsong

Not a word was heard at the tomb that day.
Just shuffling soldiers feet as they guarded the grave
One day, two days, three days had passed.
Could it be that Jesus had breathed His last ?
Could it be that His Father had forsaken Him,
Turned His back on His Son despising our sin?
All hell seemed to whisper, "just forget Him, He's dead"
Then the Father looked down to His Son and said, 

Arise, My Love! Arise, My Love!
The grave no longer has a hold on you
No more deaths sting, no more suffering
Arise, Arise My Love!

The earth trembled and the tomb began to shake
And like lightning from heaven the stone was rolled away
And as dead men the guards stood there in fright
As the power of love displayed its might

Then suddenly a melody filled the air
Riding wings of wind it was everywhere
The words all creation had been longing to hear
The sweet sound of victory so loud and clear

Arise, My Love! Arise, My Love! 
The grave no longer has a hold on you
No more death's sting, no more suffering
Arise, Arise! 

Sin, where is you shackles? 
Death, where is your sting? 
Hell has been defeated, 
The grave could not hold The King!

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