“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Easter Sunday is a few days away. But I was just thinking.

How many times throughout the year have we sung that powerful and wonderful hymn “He Lives!” written by Alfred Ackley? Pastor Ackley was listening to the radio before Sunday services. The speaker came on. He was a famous liberal New York City preacher who said, “Good morning. It’s Easter. You know, folks, it really doesn’t make any difference to me if Christ be risen or not. As far as I am concerned, His body could be dust in some Palestinian tomb.”

Pastor Alfred Ackley became so infuriated he threw the radio across the room and screamed, “It’s a lie!”

Several hours later he preached with urgency the precious resurrection of Christ. That night he was still agitated until his sweet wife whispered, “It’s time to do what you do best – write a song – and you will feel better.”

He did, and that night the powerful hymn “He Lives!” was born. The chorus of this wonderful hymn lyric is “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!”

I can tell you that my heart is rejoicing that Christ not only died for our sins and was buried but “He Lives!”

How often will this hymn be going around in your mind today? What a wonderful Savior is Jesus our Lord! Worship Him today.