PWOC International Blog

Up from the Grave He arose, with a mighty triumph over His foes.

He arose a victor from the dark domain,  and he lives forever with the saints to reign.

He Arose, He Arose! Halleluhjah! Christ arose!

from the hymn “Up from the Grave He Arose” (Lo in the grave He lay)

Words and Music by Robert Lowry 1826-1899 (Public Domain)

I love the words to this old hymn.  They are so rousing and almost require operatic training to sing, but the joyful exuberance of the message cannot be stopped.  Jesus loved us, while we were still His enemies.  He came to earth to die for the punishment of our sins.  Death couldn’t hold him in the grave, because His sinless life exempted Him from the punishment of death.  He resurrected from the dead and is seated in the highest place of heaven, ruling above every name and power.  He is unstoppable and He is coming again.  His scepter rules the nations with righteousness and justice.  Arise, My Sisters.  Arise from your own grave clothes of sin and sorrow.  Arise, for our Risen Lord has risen, just as He said.  He is ruling above all.  His Kingdom is coming into the earth.  He invites us to join in His own intercession, crying out for righteousness and justice to invade our hearts, our families, to invade our chapels, our neighborhoods, and our world.  He is RISEN!  Arise!

Dear God,  We worship our Risen Saviour, Jesus.  We worship our Risen King, Jesus. We thank you for the precious sacrifice of Your only Son.  We thank you for the radical, humble obedience of the cross.  We thank you that you are Risen, just as You said.  Forgive us when we have tried to live for you wrapped in our own grave clothes of sin and numbed out sorrows.  Free us from ourselves, deliver us from sin and heal our hearts as we open them back up to You..  We choose to arise, as you extend the scepter of your righteousness and justice.  Cleanse us and teach us to pray with you, Your Kingdom Come, Your Will, Be Done!  We arise with you, Risen Lord!  In Jesus’ Highest Name we pray, Amen!