In my late teens, early 20s we often visited my Aunt and Uncle’s family as they cared for our aging grandfather. My uncle was a Baptist preacher and I picked up this song with a peppy tune but which also expresses the experience of Mary Magdalene that we have been looking at this week. She was one of the first to encounter the risen Jesus. She returned to the other disciples and shared, “I have seen the Lord.” She knew he was in the world, alive. Other stories were swirling around Jerusalem. Some said the body had been stolen. Some claimed God could not die. “Whatever men may say,” she knew she had encountered him. She had “seen his hand of mercy.” She had “heard his voice of cheer.” As she stood in the garden at the entrance to the tomb, “just the time I need him, he’s always near.”
I Serve A Risen Savior (He Lives)
Lyrics
I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near
Refrain:
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives?
He lives within my heart.
In all the world around me I see His loving care
And tho’ my heart grows weary, I never will despair
I know that He is leading thro’ all the stormy blast
The day of His approaching will come at last
Refrain
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find
None other is so loving, so good and kind.
Refrain
On the Way to Wonder 