Last week, I learned a new song in a different language. The people singing it were from a poor nation who focuses more on oral learning. For this reason, to learn the song, one leader would sing each line, then the group would repeat the line after him which continued until the song was complete. They sang, clapped, and marched in a small circle as they worshipped through the song. I tried learning the words with them. To help, they wrote them down for me.
In English the meaning is:
Jesus is Risen
He is absolutely risen
I have no doubt
That Jesus is risen
What a simple, yet powerful song. The declaration that Jesus is absolutely risen with no doubt is the basis of Christianity, and the lyrics convey it with perfect clarity. It is my new favorite song.
Another reason this song touched me so deeply was because of who was singing it. They were Christian men who traveled from a nation where the Gospel is completely restricted. There, to even be discovered as a Christian is punishable by a mandatory death sentence. Yet here they were, attending a Christian Conference in a neighboring country, learning to serve Jesus more effectively. They left the conference with Christian materials and a New Testament Bible in their language (the Old Testament is not translated yet), knowing they had to cross border security to get back into their country. However, they had a desire to share the Gospel with others and to rescue their nation from the 1000-year grip of Islam by the power of Christ.
And so they sang their declaration of faith:
Jesus is Risen
He is absolutely risen
I have no doubt
That Jesus is risen
I was pierced as I listened to them sing. I knew they believed Jesus is absolutely risen, and they truly had no doubt. Their lives testify to their belief. I sang the same words, but I wondered if I believed them like they do. Would I have started a 700-mile journey on camel or donkey to come to a Christian conference until I was able to get to a car or a bus for the rest of the journey? Would I have believed the song enough to take my translated materials across the border to evangelize my nation? Would I have even gotten on the bus to go back home?
As we consider the realities of Holy Week and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, I hope we can all sing, even, if necessary, at the risk of our own lives:
Jesus is Risen
He is absolutely risen
I have no doubt
That Jesus is risen
As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.