Songs for a Resurrection
One of my favorite tv shows is House. Dr. House is a genius doctor with terrible people-skills that creates all sorts of drama as he solves the most complex medical cases. Each episode followed a similar arc: Someone would come in desperately and mysteriously ill and Dr. House would make a brilliant diagnosis in the nick of time.
Beyond the show “House”, medical dramas are a wildly popular television genre. There are iconic shows like ER and Grey's Anatomy. Or a comedies like “Scrubs”. Now there are medical mystery podcasts I will occasionally listen to, like Mr. Ballen’s Medical Mysteries.
These various shows all share a story-telling similarity: the climax of the drama often involves the revival of a patient from the brink of death.
My pastoral or theological theory behind why those moments are so captivating is that they display a power over death. However, the power found in CPR or the paddles is merely temporary. A heart restarted by a defibrillator will eventually cease to beat, and lungs filled with air by CPR will eventually stop breathing.
These stories, whether or not the writers and audience are aware, ultimately point to the resurrection of Jesus. Because Jesus’ resurrection is not temporary.
Jesus was not resuscitated through Holy CPR.
He was not revived by a ‘Higher Power’ defibrillator.
He was resurrected by the Holy Spirit.
Resuscitated people die again. People revived will die again.
The Resurrected Christ lives forever!
And by His grace, through his atoning work on the cross, we can share in a resurrection like His (Romans 6:5)
As we approach Easter I have put a short list of resurrection-themed songs together for you to listen and reflect upon.
Apple Music and Spotify playlists can be found here & here.
I Know a Name – Elevation
“I have a King With dominion over death / He holds the keys In his holy nail-scarred hands / He is the heel That has crushed the serpent’s head / Our resurrected Great I Am
Death Was Arrested - NorthPoint Worship
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand / That’s when death was arrested and my life began
Sunday is Coming – Phil Wickham
Friday’s good 'cause Sunday is coming / Don’t lose hope 'cause Sunday is coming
Devil you’re done you better start running / Friday’s good 'cause Sunday is coming
Rattle - Elevation
My God is able to save and deliver and heal and restore anything that He wants to / Just ask the stone that was rolled at the tomb in the garden What happens when God says to move
Resurrecting – Elevation
The resurrected King is resurrecting me
Christ is Risen – Phil Wickham
And all throughout eternity Our song will be the same / Hallelujah Christ is risen from the grave
Because He Lives – Carrie Underwood
Because He lives I can face tomorrow / Because He lives all fear is gone
Forever – Kari Jobe
The ground began to shake / The stone was rolled away / His perfect love could not be overcome
Empty Grave – Zach Williams
Oh I see an empty grave / I hear the heavens waking / Angels in jubilation
That stone's been rolled away
I Know that My Redeemer Lives – Getty
My Redeemer lives / My Redeemer lives / On heaven's throne and in my very soul / I know that my Redeemer lives
Death Where is Your Sting – Cory Asbury
Death where is your sting / Grave where is your victory / He’s alive He's alive / He is risen
Death in His Grave – John Mark McMillan
The Man Jesus Christ laid death in His grave
Happy Easter!