Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? [Chorus]

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb? [Chorus]

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb! [Chorus]

Chorus:
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless?
Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Elisha Hoffman, 1875
Read Colossians 1:19-22

(While this is primarily an invitation hymn, an opportunity to examine to our lives in the light of the cross is welcome, especially as in the second stanza. Are we walking daily by the Savior’s side, or have we wandered off on our own? Do we rest each moment in the Crucified, or are we knotted up with worry and dread? Now is a good time to go back to those early days of our salvation. Perhaps we should sing it, Yes, I’m washed in the blood, in the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb. My garments are spotless. Now they’re white as snow. Yes, I’m washed in the blood of the Lamb.)

O they tell me of a home far beyond the skies,
O they tell me of a home far away;
O they tell me of a home where no storm-clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.

O they tell me of a home where my friends have gone,
O they tell me of that land far away,
Where the tree of life in eternal bloom
Sheds its fragrance thru the unclouded day. [Refrain]

O they tell me of a King in His beauty there,
And they tell me that mine eyes shall behold
Where He sits on the throne that is whiter than snow,
In the city that is made of gold. [Refrain]

O they tell me that He smiles on His children there,
And His smile drives their sorrows all away;
And they tell me that no tears ever come again,
In that lovely land of unclouded day. [Refrain]

Refrain:
O the land of cloudless day,
O the land of an unclouded day;
O they tell me of a home where no storm-clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.

J. K. Alwood, 1885
Read Isaiah 60:19-22

(Storms are often used as a metaphor for difficulties or seasons of life that push us to our limits. The hymnwriter looks forward to a day when there are not only no storms, but no clouds, even. There is something about the sun, shining in its strength that picks up our spirits, especially during these days of isolation. Every sunny day is a reminder that the Unclouded Day is coming!)

And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’ Job 28:28

Fear.
The Hebrew is yirah.
But it’s not fear, like I’m afraid of spiders.
It’s fear, like fear of the Lord.
Reverence. Respect. Recognition of His worthiness.

It is the mark of His people. (Deuteronomy 6:24)
It is something we learn, and must teach others. (Deuteronomy 31:12)
It is the fountain of life. (Proverbs 14:27)

It changes how we treat others.
It results in respect for the aged. (Leviticus 19:32)
It means the disabled are shown dignity. (Leviticus 19:14)

But God Himself takes pleasure in those who fear Him. (Psalm 147:11)
He calls it His treasure. (Isaiah 33:6)
And He writes it down and remembers it. (Malachi 3:16)

Fear the Lord.

And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen. Luke 24:52-53

Jesus Christ rose from the dead!
They saw Him, talked with Him, even ate with Him.
They couldn’t go back to the routine.

What did they do?
They worshiped Him.
Actively. Personally. Corporately.

They returned to Jerusalem.
According to His instructions.
To wait for the next step.

They exhibited great joy.
Not forced or fake. Not mere happiness.
Genuinely overflowing joy.

They were continually in the Temple.
Not squeezing it in amid other commitments.
It was their priority.

They were praising and blessing God.
Publicly. Authentically.
Honoring. Testifying.

Amen.
So be it.

Easter was yesterday.
What will you do TODAY?