My friend John is the Minister of a large Baptist Church in south London. He is also a bit of a ‘card’, a character, with a wicked sense of humour. The other year he turned up at his Church on Easter Sunday, and conducted the whole Morning Service, wearing his pyjamas, dressing gown, and slippers!? Typically Baptist, his very respectable congregation made no comment at all during the Service, apart from the odd raised eyebrow and questioning look here and there.

John’s Easter Sunday sermon was based on the words of the angel to the women who came to Jesus’ tomb that very first Easter Morning to anoint his body: ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay!’ (Matthew 28:5,6). It was a rousing declaration of the fact that Jesus is not dead but very much alive – someone whom we can all come to know for ourselves today in a personal way through the agency of God’s Spirit.

At the conclusion of the Service John addressed his congregation: ‘No one has questioned my attire this morning but after this Service I’m sure you will all be talking about it! You will go home and tell your family and friends, “You’ll never believe it but our Minister took the whole Service on Easter Sunday dressed in his pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers!” And your family and friends will respond, “Go on with you! He never did. You are joshing us.” But it’s true … I did take the whole Service dressed in my pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers. And if you tell people what I preached about today – the fact that Jesus is not dead but risen and very much alive; someone who we can all come to know for ourselves – their response will probably be, “Go on with you! He never did. You are joshing us.” But it’s true nonetheless!’

So, all together now …

I serve a risen Saviour
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading,
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
The Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind.

~ Alfred Henry Ackley (1887-1960)

Jim Binney