The song “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen is a complex exploration of themes such as love, loss, faith, and despair. The word “Hallelujah” itself, means “praise be to God” in Hebrew. Through the song Cohen captures the highs and lows, beauty and messiness of life. The words did well in the “Shrek” story to express Shrek’s sadness and perceived loss of the love of his life. However, this song fell short of telling the Easter Story, what Jesus did for us!
Kelley Mooney was asked to sing Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ at church one Sunday, so she re-wrote the song to tell the Easter story.
The first verse ends with:
“They nailed Him to a wooden cross
Soon all the world would feel the loss
Of Christ the King before His Hallelujah”
These words prompted me to think about when Jesus was comforting his disciples in John 14:1-4
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
The disciples were worried about death and what would happen afterward. Jesus’ words still comfort us today! We know from what Jesus said that the way to eternal life, though unseen, is secure for us if we trust him with the future. He has already prepared the way to eternal life. The only issue that may still be unsettled is our willingness to believe in Him.
Easter invites us to reflect on our own spiritual renewal. Just as spring brings the renewal of life in nature, Easter offers an opportunity to ignite one’s faith and commitment to God. It is a call to shed the old ways of sin and embrace the transformative power of grace. It is a time to increase in our willingness to trust in Him in all things.
The Apostle Paul beautifully captures this in his letter to the Romans, where he writes, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4).
On Resurrection Sunday let us celebrate our risen Savior—the One who conquered death on a cross without whose Death and Resurrection, we are lost (1 Corinthians 15:17). Let us spend Resurrection Sunday praising and thanking God as individuals and corporately centred on celebrating our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His victory over death.
May this Easter fill your heart with God’s love and may the message of the resurrection inspire you to live each day with renewed faith and purpose. Hallelujah, Christ is risen!
Jan Kwasniewski
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Christian Virtual School
