"Hallelujah! He is Risen"

“Hallelujah!  He is Risen”

Sounds like a replay of Easter and the Resurrection of Christ. But, it is more than that.  It is a reminder as we wake up, stretch our arms above our heads, toss the blanket off our sleepy body, place our feet on the floor and prepare for a new day.  A theme most of us will go through with no idea that we may be alone in this common exercise.

As far as using this term vividly we will attempt to explain its meaning as follows: 

The first part of this term relates to the second person.  It translates to “praise Jah/Yah.”  In Hebrew hallelujah means to  rejoice in praising God.  Usually, Hallelujah is reserved, out of reverence  for the resurrection at Easter.  This is why in some circles many do not use it during Lent.  

Looking at the thoughts of rising from sleep  we need to dwell further towards the eye opening theory of what may be waiting for our attention that is prodding our senses this morning.

With no further thought we are not standing on the threshold of eternity embarking on our newest life that Christ died to give us, but hearing the word of God and our mandate to see further into our requirements of adherence to our mission.    

Today is the very reason God created the cosmos, this tiny planet Earth we all live on, and each of us who without realizing it, are being prepared to encounter many others who are lonely, frightened, and most have no idea who Christ is or do nor care if he is still around.

This is the remnant of humanity that Christ came to earth in order to save what was lost.  They are real human beings who have not heard of why the Lord came to save us.  They also are among the many who have lost the answer to find salvation since they have become the lost element of society that is going the wrong direction in life.

Of course, these mandates are spoken over many times, but unfortunately too many believers have left a void hanging around our necks like a closed ornament  without seeking to open and look once again to its deeper essence than just a piece of jewelry.  These souls that are feeling real emptiness and insecurity have become the remnants calling out for freedoms from missing God and why he created them.  

Jesus said to the Canaanite woman; “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  (Mt 15: 24) .  And, “Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.”  (Mt 20: 28).  

Enter the awakening to a message that the risen Christ gave to his disciples:  “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe allI I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always,  until the end of the age.”  (Mt 28: 19 - 20).  Here are the lost souls of the house of Israel and America as well.  The end will not come until the Word of God is taught to all the unbelievers.  There may be some who will not listen, but our task is to reach as many as we are able.

Ralph B. Hathaway