By
Christian Living, Craig Smith

Awake

I’m at my home church this weekend, something I really value since the whole Christian speaker gig keeps me on the road and away from home too many Sundays.  This weekend I’ll be serving as lead worshipper.  As I’ve been preparing, I’ve been thinking about a new song we’re going to do:  Christ Is Risen by Matt Maher.  If you haven’t heard it yet, you should definately check it out.

Somewhat ironically, though the song is a bit edgy, the text of the song is borrowed in large measure from the words of John Chrysostom who preached during the late 4th and into the early 5th century.  A liturgical reading from Chrysostom, still used today in Greek Orthodox churches, has the people say:  “Christ is risen from the dead, conquering death by death, and to those in the tombs, bestowing life.”

Matt Maher has turned this into an invitation.  His chorus reads:  Christ has risen from the death, conguering over death by death, come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the grave!

I love that line!  I don’t know if Chrysostom or Maher had it in mind, but this line reminds me of

Isaiah 60:1-5: 
This passage is most directly a promise to the nation of Israel as a nation, but it contains hints of glory that are applicable to all of God’s people whether Jewish or not.  I am particularly struck by the call to “Arise, shine, for your light has come” and the promise that kings will come to “the brightness of your rising”.
Am I fully awake?  Can the world discern the brightness of my rising?
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2 “For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. 3 “Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. 4 “Lift up your eyes round about and see; They all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, And your daughters will be carried in the arms. 5 “Then you will see and be radiant…

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2 “For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. 3 “Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. 4 “Lift up your eyes round about and see; They all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, And your daughters will be carried in the arms. 5 “Then you will see and be radiant…
This passage is most directly a promise to the nation of Israel as a nation, but it contains hints of glory that are applicable to all of God’s people whether Jewish or not.  I am particularly struck by the call to “Arise, shine, for your light has come” and the promise that kings will come to “the brightness of your rising”.
Am I fully awake?  Can the world discern the brightness of my rising?
 

 

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