Easter, Vol. 6

This year may have a "late" Easter, but that does not in any way diminish the importance of Holy Week. 2025's Easter playlist is full of victory, love, sacrifice, and hope, all of which we could use a bit of this year. Getting to listen to these songs while prepping for my daughter's first Easter is so special, and whatever you have going on in your life this week, I hope they ease your heart and soul.

Like always, each song has a verse or passage of Scripture to go along with it for you to get some extra insight. Note: All Scripture is from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible.

Homecoming (Live) by Bethel Music (written by B. Johnson, C. Ostrom, C. Asbury, G. Price)

Featured on Bethel's 2021 live album Homecoming and featuring vocals from worship leaders Cory Asbury and Gable Price, this has been a year-round favorite of mine for a while now. The cross paved the way for our heavenly homecoming, being able to run into His arms forever.

Lord, I confess that I’ve been a criminal/I’ve stolen Your breath and sang my own song/And Lord, I confess that I’m far from innocent/These shackles I wear, I bought on my own/Scarlet stains had a crimson cost/You nailed my debt to that old rugged cross/An empty slate at the empty grave/Thank God that stone was rolled away

I Thessalonians 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

Because He Lives by Carrie Underwood (written by G. Gaither, W. Gaither)

Featured on Underwood's 2021 album My Savior, this is a wonderful version of this gospel classic. The message is simple, yet strong: because Jesus rose from the dead, we can live without fear of the future.

God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus/He came to love, heal, and forgive/He lived and died to buy my pardon/An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives/Because He lives, I can face tomorrow/Because He lives, all fear is gone/Because I know He holds my future/And life is worthy the living just because He lives

Hebrews 7:24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever.

The Old Rugged Cross by Chris Rice (written by G. Bennard, G. Lewis)

Featured on Rice's 2006 album Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project, this is such a beautiful take on a beautiful hymn. The cross had such an ugly purpose, but it has provided us with a beautiful message of love and forgiveness for all time.

On a hill far away stood an old, rugged cross/The emblem of suffering and shame/And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best/For a world of lost sinners was slain/So I’ll cherish the old, rugged cross/’Til my trophies at last I lay down/I will cling to the old, rugged cross/And exchange it someday for a crown

Hebrews 12:2-3 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

Perfect Love (Live) by Cindy Cruse Ratcliff (written by J. McElhenny, C. Cruse Ratcliff, C. Voss, A. Cruse)

Featured on Cruse Ratcliff's 2015 live album Edge of the Universe (Live at Lakewood Church), this was a favorite of mine to lead for quite some time. No matter what we do or what the world throw at us, it could never stop Jesus's perfect love for us.

Though the rain falls and the storm begins to rage/You are speaking, You calm the wind and waves/When the night falls and I carry burdens deep/Grace is reaching for me/On the cross, You have won/It is finished, it is done/Every stronghold will be broken, we will see the heavens open/Fear is overcome by perfect love, perfect love/Every mountain will be leveled, every desert will be flooded/Death is overcome by perfect love, perfect love

I John 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

Here I Am to Worship (Live) by Hillsong Worship & Reuben Morgan (written by T. Hughes)

Featured on Hillsong's 2005 live album Ultimate Worship (Live), this worship classic is just as poignant today as it was twenty years ago. We can never know the true cost of Christ's willing sacrifice, but His grace and mercy cover us when we experience His salvation.

Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness/Opened my eyes, let me see/Beauty that made this heart adore You/Hope of a life spent with You/Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down/Here I am to say that You’re my God/You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy/Altogether wonderful to me

John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Overcome by Jeremy Camp (written by J. Egen, T. Tribbett)

Featured on Camp's 2010 album We Cry Out: The Worship Project, this powerful song proudly declares Jesus's triumph over death through His resurrection on the first Easter Sunday. He was completely, utterly blameless, and yet He endured so much suffering because of how much He loves us.

Seated above, enthroned in the Father’s love/Destined to die, poured out for all mankind/God’s only Son, perfect and spotless one/He never sinned, but suffered as if He did/All authority, every victory is Yours/All authority, every victory is Yours/Savior, worthy of honor and glory/Worthy of all of our praise, You overcame/Jesus, awesome in power forever/Awesome and great is Your name, You overcame

Luke 22:20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people - an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”

I've Witnessed It (Live From Passion 2023) by Passion & Melodie Malone (written by M. Malone, A. Davis, A. Holt)

Released as a single in 2023 and featuring vocals from worship leader Melodie Malone, this is an incredible reminder that God is faithful in all of His promises. His goodness, strength, consistency, love, healing, and rescue are ever present throughout Scripture and can still be seen in our lives today.

When I was lost and all alone, Your presence was where I found home/You were there, and You’re here right now/In every high and every low, You never left me without hope/You were good, and You’re good right now/I’ve witnessed Your faithfulness, I’ve seen You breathe life again/So I’ll pour out my praise again, You are worthy, God, You’re worthy of all of it/Your promises never fail, I’ve got stories I’ll live to tell/So I’ll pour out my praise again, You’re worthy, God, You’re worthy of all of it

John 3:11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony.

I wish a happy, blessed Easter to all who will be celebrating this week. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!