First Importance: Christ is Risen
Day 1: Christ is Risen
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
No one need grieve over sins—forgiveness has dawned from the tomb
No one need fear death—the Savior’s death has freed us from it
While its captive, He stifled it
He despoiled Hades and He entered into it
It was vexed when it was tasted His flesh
Foreseeing this Isaiah proclaimed:
“Hades,” he said, “was angered when he met You below”
It was vexed because it was abolished
It was vexed because it was mocked
It was vexed because it was slain
It was vexed because it was shackled
It received a body and encountered God
It took earth and came face to face with heaven
It took what it saw and fell by what it could not see
O death, where is your sting, O hell, where is your victory?
Christ is risen and demons have fallen
Christ is risen and angels rejoice
Christ is risen and life rules
Christ is risen and not one dead remains in the tomb
For Christ, having risen from the dead has become the firstfruit of those that slept
To Him be the glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen.
~ John Chrysostom ~ Antioch, Syria, 347- 407
