God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. (Acts 2:32)

TWO EVENTS involving resurrection songs left a lasting impression on me.

I had stood alongside family members at their mother’s hospital bed. The doctors had predicted her death was imminent. The solemn group tearfully mouthed their good-byes, but they knew they would see their mother in heaven. However, to everyone’s great surprise, early the following morning, Easter morning, she regained consciousness. When a doctor and several nurses entered the room, she insisted they stay while she sang “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.”

Soon after retiring from teaching, my former Bible college roommate died of lymphoma. He had been a chorale member in college and a part-time music minister throughout his teaching career. At the funeral, family members, friends, and fellow teachers eulogized him as a consistent, godly man. Although each eulogy was deeply moving, my wife and I believed the recessional profoundly impacted everyone, including us. Here’s why: it was a recording of the deceased, singing about the resurrection. His strong baritone voice conveyed the firm assurance that because Jesus lives, we too shall live.

Each of us is getting older, and perhaps each of us carries burdens and afflictions, but because Jesus arose, we can rejoice in a better day—an eternal day.

Rejoice today in the living Savior, and share the reason for your joy with others.

Jim Dyet was born in Scotland and grew up in Canada. Married fifty-six years, he and Gloria live in Colorado Springs, where Jim enjoys golf and daily walks with their dogs.