Many Easters ago when I was in high school we (youth choir) performed a song that would stick with me forever.  Our music minister had us learn sign language for the chorus.  When it was all said and done, there wasn't a dry eye in the place.  It was so beautiful - so very beautiful.  I loved being a part of it. 

Not a word was heard at the tomb that day.
Just shuffling of soldiers feet as they guarded the grave.
One day, two days, three days had past.
Could it be that Jesus breathed his last?_[1]

You know Satan and all his minions were cheering the moment Jesus' body wilted on the cross.  Their joyous revelry could be heard throughout the heavenly realm when he was placed in that tomb.  Had we the eyes to see the unseen that day, we would have shuttered at what we'd just done.

Could it be that his Father had forsaken him?
Turned his back on his son, despising our sin.
All hell seemed to whisper, "Forget Him, He's dead."
Then the Father looked down on His Son and said..

Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer has a hold on you
No more death sting
No more suffering
Arise...Arise...my love._[1]

Don't you just get chills!  "No more death sting, No more suffering!"  Like another great song said, "God will make a way, where there seems to be no way."  Can you imagine the myriad of angels and the song of joy that rose up that moment?  Satan thought he'd won but boy was he wrong.

The Earth trembled and the tomb began to shake, and like lightening from Heaven
The stone was rolled away.
And as dead men the guards stood there in fright
As the power of love displayed its might
And suddenly a melody filled the air
Riding wings of wind, it was everywhere
The words all creation had been longing to hear.
The sweet sound of victory, so loud and clear.

Arise, my love.
Arise, my love.
The grave no longer has a hold on you.
No more death sting no more suffering
Arise...arise...._[1]

Do you grasp what this really means?  Do you realize what happened when the "curtain" tore in two that day?  Hebrews 10:13-23 tells us, "Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 'This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.'  Then he adds: 'Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.' nd where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.  Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Sin, where are your shackles?
Death, where is your sting?
Hell; has been defeated. The grave will not hold, the king.

Arise, my love.
Arise, my love.
Arise....Arise....Arise_[1]

We, as believers, are no longer slaves to the law of sin and death.  I have  hope for the future and one day, I believe my Father will say to me, "Arise, my love...I conquered sin and death for you!  Arise, my child, the grave cannot hold you!  Satan has no power here, I bought you with the precious blood of My Son and you, my beloved, belong to Me!"

"For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:17