Jesus told his disciples about the strife to come. Matthew tells us in his Gospel that “Jesus began to show his disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be raised again” (Matthew 16:21). Jesus warned the disciples about his deadly strife, but he also assured them of the victory that would follow the strife.
Just as he had foretold, Jesus was rejected and betrayed. He suffered many things at the hands of the Jewish religious leaders and Roman soldiers. Jesus was mocked by those at the foot of the cross. Hanging upon the cross in weakness and humility, it appeared as if the battle was done … and that Jesus had lost
But the opposite was true! The battle was done … but Jesus had won! He had bested sin by paying the price with his divinely human blood! He had crushed Satan under his bloody heel! And he would defeat death with his third day resurrection!
The refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Verse one: The strife is o’er, the battle done; now is the victor’s triumph won; now be the song of praise begun: Alleluia!
The empty tomb has shaken the world. Death is dead. The devil is defeated. The angels rejoice. The saints sing.
Verse two: The pow’rs of death have done their worst, but Christ their legions has dispersed. Let shouts of holy joy outburst: Alleluia!
Christ took his Sabbath rest. He awoke from the sleep of death. The Victim is the Victor. The grave is open. And now there is an empty tomb for rent.
Verse three: The three sad days have quickly sped, he rises glorious from the dead. All glory to our risen Head: Alleluia!
The gates of Hades have been kicked in. Hell is vanquished. The demons have fallen. He holds "the keys of Death and Hades" (Revelation 1:18b). The gates of heaven have been opened. The saints gather around the throne of the risen Christ.
Verse four: He closed the yawning gates of hell; the bars from heav’n’s high portals fell. Let hymns of praise his triumph tell: Alleluia
While here on earth, our strife is not over. We are still engaged in battle against sin, Satan, and death. But we are confident that because Jesus was triumphant over this unholy trinity, his victory is now our victory. Sinners have been turned into saints. The captives have been set free. The sting of death has been removed. Sin has been paid for. The Ancient Serpent’s head has been crushed. Christ has turned the curse of death into a sleep for his saints. Our hymns of praise during the Easter season tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection triumph. This is a triumph that we and all Christ’s saints will be celebrating now and into eternity. Alleluia!
Verse five: By your deep wounds, O risen King, come set us free from death’s sharp sting, that we may live and ever sing: Alleluia! (Refrain)