Easter, Vol. 7

Holy Week is upon us, ushering in another Easter and Spring season. This year's Easter playlist is full of love, mercy, hope, and sacrifice, culminating in the victory of the Resurrection. I love meditating in these songs as I prep my own heart, as well as my family, for this beautiful season of rebirth and renewal.

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.

Image of Love (Live) by Citipointe Live & Becky Lucas (written by C. Moore, B. Lamshed)

Featured on Citipointe's 2018 live album Mover of Mountains with vocals from worship leader Becky Lucas, this song reminds us that Jesus is the perfect picture of what love truly looks like. Looking at the cross, we see sacrifice; looking at the empty tomb, we see victory. Together, they reveal the image of God's love for us.

You were bruised and beaten, yet not defeated/From the grave You’ve risen with the keys to freedom/When you come in glory, all Heaven roaring/For the Lord Almighty, cry holy, holy/Crying holy, holy/Holy, holy/Holy, holy/Glory, honor, and power, hope of the world is here/Glory, God in the highest reached out in victory/Glory, honor, and power, hope of the world is here/Glory, God in the highest reached out in victory, our Savior/Our Savior/Our Savior/Our Savior/Our Savior

I Corinthians 16:14 And do everything with love.

Take You At Your Word (Live) by Cody Carnes & Benjamin William Hastings (written by C. Carnes, B. Hastings, A. King)

Featured on Carnes's 2022 live album God Is Good!, this song reminds us that faith often means choosing to believe God's promises even when we don't see the full picture yet. At Easter, we remember that Jesus kept His word. The cross was not an accident; it was love in action.

Your word is a lamp unto my feet/Your way is the only way for me/It’s a narrow road that leads to life, but I want to be on it/It’s a narrow road, but the mercy’s wide ‘cause You’re good on Your promise/I’ll take You at Your word/If You said it, I’ll believe it/I’ve seen how good it works/If You start it, You’ll complete it/I’ll take You at Your word

II Corinthians 1:20 For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for his glory.

Mercy by Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music ft. Chris Brown (written by C. Brown, D. Bowe, J. Ingram)

Featured on Elevation & Maverick City's 2021 album Old Church Basement with vocals from worship leader Chris Brown, this song reminds us that God didn't meet our sin with condemnation, but compassion. The cross looked like defeat, but it was actually mercy in action. Because Jesus rose, mercy isn't just a moment; it's an invitation to come as we are, to be forgiven, and to live transformed.

I’m living proof/Of what the mercy of God can do/If You knew me then, You’d believe me now/He turned my whole life upside down/He took the old and He made me new/That’s just what the mercy of God can do/Now I’m alive to tell the story, how I’ve overcome/It’s His goodness and mercy and the power of His blood/I’m so glad that my freedom wasn’t based on what I’ve done/But the goodness and mercy and the power of the blood/So much power in the blood

Romans 6:4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

None but Jesus by Hillsong UNITED & Jad Gillies (written by B. Ligertwood)

Featured on UNITED's 2020 EP (in the meantime), Vol. 2 with vocals from worship leader Jad Gillies, this song reminds us that Jesus is still our deliverer today. Whatever we face, be it fear, uncertainty, or burdens, we can place our trust in the One who saves. We remember that our hope isn't in circumstances, achievements, or anything this world offers, but in Jesus alone.

In the quiet, in the stillness/I know that You are God/In the secret of Your presence/I know there, I am restored/When You call, I won’t refuse/Each new day, again I’ll choose/There is no one else for me/None but Jesus/Crucified to set me free/Now I live to bring Him praise

Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Man of Sorrows (Passion) by Hillsong Worship (written by B. Ligertwood, M. Crocker)

Featured on Hillsong's 2021 EP At Easter, this song reminds us that Easter begins with a story that seems like the end. However, the suffering of Jesus was not the end of the story, but rather the pathway to redemption. The One who died for our sins now lives to give us new life.

Man of sorrows, Lamb of God/By His own betrayed/The sin of man and wrath of God/Has been on Jesus laid/Silent as He stood accused/Beaten, mocked, and scorned/Bowing to the Father’s will/He took a crown of thorns/Oh, that rugged cross, my salvation/Where your loved poured out over me/Now my soul cries out hallelujah/Praise and honor unto Thee

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship & Brooke Ligertwood (written by B. Ligertwood, B. Fielding)

Released as a single in 2016 with vocals from worship leader Brooke Ligertwood, this song reminds us of the power the name of Jesus holds. His name carries both the humility of the cross and the promise of resurrection. The Son of God chose the cross out of love for us.

You didn’t want Heaven without us/So Jesus, You brought Heaven down/My sin was great, Your love was greater/What could separate us now/What a wonderful name it is, what a wonderful name it is/The name of Jesus Christ, my King/What a wonderful name it is, nothing compares to this/What a wonderful name it is, the name of Jesus/What a wonderful name it is, the name of Jesus

Matthew 27:51-52 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead.

You Stay the Same by Shana Wilson-Williams (composer unknown)

Featured on Wilson-Williams's 2018 album Evergreen, this song reminds us that while seasons change and circumstances shift, God never does. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power at work in our lives today. What He promises for our future can be trusted.

Music fades away, friends, they seem to change/Seasons come and go, but there's one thing for sure/Music fades away, friends, they seem to change/Seasons come and go, but there's one thing for sure/You stay the same, Your love will never change/Jesus, Your name is great, I run in and I'm safe/You stay the same, Your love will never change/Jesus, Your name is great, I run in and I'm safe

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

For all who are celebrating this week, have a happy, fulfilling Easter. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!