Behold the dawn of resurrection morn,
When Sabbath’s solemn silence met the light;
Two faithful Marys, hearts with sorrow torn,
Approached the garden tomb in morning’s quiet.
With spices sweet of myrrh and aloes rare,
They came to honor Him who hung upon the tree—
The Lamb of God, whose cross had borne our care,
The suffering Servant, crushed for you and me.
The earth itself in holy tremor shook,
As if creation groaned and stirred anew;
A mighty angel from the courts above
Descended swift, his face like lightning true.
His raiment white as snow on Hermon’s peak,
He rolled the massive stone with sovereign might;
The Roman guards, arrayed in steel and pride,
Fell down as corpses, pale with mortal fright.
For fear of him they trembled, weak as dust,
And lay like dead men in the breaking day;
The angel sat upon the stone, in trust,
A conqueror enthroned where death once lay.
“Fear not, ye women seeking Him who died,”
The heavenly herald spoke with thunderous grace,
“I know ye seek the Lord once crucified—
He is not here; for He is risen, as He said in every place.
“Come, see the spot where once the Master lay,
The linen cloths are folded, neat and still;
The napkin wrapped apart, as if to say
That death could never bind the Father’s will.
Go quickly now, and tell His own the word:
He goes before you into Galilee;
There shall they see their risen, living Lord,
The Firstborn from the dead, forever free.”
With mingled fear and overwhelming joy,
They hastened forth, their feet scarce touching ground;
When suddenly the risen glorious Boy—
The eternal Son—before them stood, crowned.
“All hail!” He greeted with compassion kind,
And they fell down and worshipped at His feet.
“Be not afraid,” He spoke with voice refined,
“But go and bid My brethren come to meet.
“Tell them I rise to My Father above,
Your Father too, My God and yours the same;
In Galilee they soon shall see My love,
And know the power of My risen name.”
Meanwhile the keepers, roused from death-like trance,
Hastened to the city with their fearful tale;
The chief priests gathered in a dark advance,
With elders plotting how the truth assail.
With silver coins—echo of betrayal’s night—
They bribed the soldiers’ tongues with crafty lies:
“Declare His friends stole Him by stealthy flight,
While we in slumber let the body rise.”
Thus falsehood spread its shadow like a blight
Across the land that once had known the Lord;
Yet heaven’s truth no human scheme can bind,
The stone is rolled forever from the sight.
The grave is spoiled, the serpent’s head is crushed
Beneath the heel of David’s greater Seed;
The curse of Eden, long in sorrow hushed,
Now breaks beneath the Victor’s righteous deed.
The veil once torn within the temple’s heart,
The way to God forever open stands;
Creation groans no more beneath the smart
Of death and bondage—life eternal commands.
Now to the mountain Jesus had assigned,
The eleven journeyed through the Galilean fields;
When they beheld their Master, some inclined
To worship deeply, while some doubt still yields.
The Lord drew near, His wounds of love displayed—
The nail prints speaking grace beyond all price;
And spoke with majesty that fills the glade
And echoes through the ages’ vast device:
“All power in heaven and on earth is laid
Into My hands by My Father’s wise decree.
No realm, no throne, no force can stand arrayed
Against the King who conquered death for thee.
Go therefore into every land and tongue,
Make disciples of the nations far and wide;
Baptize them in the Name forever sung—
The Father, Son, and Spirit, unified.
“Teach them to keep all things I have commanded,
The royal law of love, the narrow way;
The beatitudes of mercy, pure and splendid,
The call to take the cross and follow day by day.
The parables of Kingdom seed and pearl,
The Sermon’s light upon the mountain height;
The charge to love as I have loved the world,
And lay down life for brethren in the fight.
“And lo, I am with you, though worlds be branded
With trial and tempest, fire and raging sea;
Through every storm, through every trial handed,
My presence shall abide eternally.
Even to the closing of the age’s night,
When stars grow dim and time itself shall cease,
I walk beside you in the darkest fight,
And bring you safely to the place of peace.”
O glorious Gospel! The tomb could not confine
The Lamb once slain who now as Lion reigns.
He broke the bars of death by grace divine,
Fulfilling every prophecy and pains.
The firstfruits of the harvest now arise,
The guarantee that all who sleep in Him
Shall wake in glory when the dead shall rise,
And put on immortality undimmed.
His Church He sends with resurrection dawn
To every shore beneath the boundless skies;
From Judah’s hills to continents unknown,
The banner of the cross shall wave on high.
He lives! He reigns! The King of kings adored,
Emmanuel forever by our side.
The grave is vanquished, death’s dark reign ignored,
And we in Him are raised, His spotless bride.
Proclaim abroad the resurrection story,
From shore to shore, from age to age the same;
The risen Christ, the King of endless glory,
Abides with us—Emmanuel His name.
Hallelujah! Death has lost its sting;
The Lord is risen—let the heavens ring!
