Last night at Lenten Worship my pastor spoke about the hope we have as Christians because of what Jesus did for us. He reminded us several things  Paul shared in his letters to the Corinthians, including this:

1 Corinthians 15:17–20 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

If Christ has not been raised, Christianity would be foolish. It would make no sense. But Christ HAS been raised, and that makes all the difference. After living without sin, offering His perfect life to pay for the sins of us all, being dead and buried, He rose. He defeated death. And He gives that victory over death to us as well.

A man named Edward Mote about hope, too. He recalled that one day on his way to work, a refrain occurred to Him of the confidence he had because of Jesus: “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” Later that day he had completed four verses to go along with that refrain. A friend of his had a wife who was very ill and asked if Edward would call on her. He did, and shared his newly written verses and refrain with the dying woman. She was so encouraged by them that he added two more verses and had a thousand copies printed – anonymously – just so they could be distributed to others. He wanted to share what He called the “Gracious Experience of a Christian.” What follows is the hymn based on Mr. Motes verses that I have stuck in my head right now and will be singing today.

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’s blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;
In ev’ry high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, and blood Support me in the whelming flood;
When ev’ry earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I than in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

 (The Lutheran Hymnal #370)