Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. As a kid, it was all about Easter baskets and chocolate. But, as I've grown, I've come to appreciate this season for reasons other than candy (although I still love those bunny-shaped chocolate-covered marshmallows). I love Easter because of what it represents: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And each year, I keep seeing His story in a new light.
Jesus' death on the cross is often viewed in a transactional way. Some teach that Jesus died for our sins, so we need to repent and get access to our "ticket to heaven." This transactional view is widely accepted because we can clearly understand it. It's like Jesus is a product; if we repent our sins, we can buy our way into freedom and heaven. But I've realized that there's much more to the story.
Jesus didn't die for us just because it was the right thing to do. He didn't die and rise from the grave out of obligation or because He wanted to make a business deal with us. Jesus gave His life for us because of His great love.
Jesus said in John 15:13 (NIV), "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." When Jesus sacrificed Himself for us, He proved that we're His friends. We are His beloved. When the veil in the temple tore in two, He provided direct access and reconciliation with God Almighty--that's how much He loves us.
So, yes, Easter is about the forgiveness of our sins. But more profoundly, Easter is about the incredible love of our Savior. He didn't die for our sins because it was the right thing to do. He sacrificed Himself because He's madly in love with you.
Today, I'm going to highlight seven songs that reflect this. If you're a worship leader looking for inspiration for your Easter setlist, these songs should have you covered. Some are upbeat, and others stripped down, but each reflects this central message of the cross and the great love of Jesus Christ.
Passion Music, "Son of Suffering"
The worship collective Passion Music has led the way in worship for 25 years with their live albums from the famous Passion Conferences. Occasionally, when Passion records live albums, they include a cover song. On their 2022 record, they covered Matt Redman's beautiful song "Son of Suffering" by contemporary artist Matt Redman.
It's easy for songs about the cross to become cliché because there are so many. But "Son of Suffering" differs from any other song about the cross I've heard. There's something about the lyrics that makes Jesus feel so accessible. It makes Him feel human and tangible.
The chorus expresses, "Blood and tears/How can it be?/There's a God who weeps/There's a God who bleeds." It makes that moment in Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, feel incredibly real and makes me so grateful for everything that Jesus endured for us. If you sing this song at your church this Easter, have some tissues on standby for the congregation, okay?
"Some imagine You are distant and removed/But You chased us down in merciful pursuit/To the sinner You were grace/And the broken You embraced/And in the end, the proof is in Your wounds."
Matt Redman and David Funk, "Lamb of God"
One of my favorite up-and-coming worship artists is David Funk. He signed to Bethel Music's roster in 2020, and was recently featured on their album, Come Up Here, with his song "Beauty." Aside from Bethel, David recently collaborated with Matt Redman on his latest single, "Lamb of God."
Perfect for Easter, the "Lamb of God" talks about the magnificence and wonder of Jesus' sacrifice. It compares the wonder of creation to the cross and how everything in the world pales in light of Christ. The second verse declares, "The single greatest wonder/My soul has ever seen/Is the Lamb of God on Calvary." It's a love letter to Jesus and an anthem I hope to hear in churches for many years.
"Behold the Son of God/Who takes away our sin/Behold His perfect sacrifice/Behold the wounds of grace upon His hands and feet/Oh, the Lamb of God on Calvary."
Cody Carnes, "Who Is This Man"
If you want to introduce your church congregation to a new worship song, look no further than worship artist Cody Carnes' latest single, "Who Is This Man." The song references several stories in the Bible, beginning with Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8:32-27. The first verse declares, "Who is this man that even the wind and the waves obey?/Who is this man that even the power of death can't break?/Angels and demons alike answer to His name/Jesus, Jesus/Jesus, Jesus."
The song proclaims the power of Jesus' resurrection, "Power to save/Power to heal/Power to raise the dead/Light of the world, lamb who was slain/Lion who rose again." From start to finish, every lyric is intentional and worshipful. The song is new, but it feels like a classic. It's a hymn for this today and a new classic for your church.
"No other name gets the glory/No other name gets the praise/No other name has the power/No other name makes a way/Jesus, Jesus/Jesus, Jesus."
Matt Maher, "The In Between"
Contemporary artist Matt Maher premiered his latest single, "The In Between," during the release of the first two episodes of season three of the popular TV series, The Chosen, in theaters.As the scenes from the show accompanied the song on the screen, I was utterly overwhelmed by its beauty and captivation.The song title references a line from an episode in season one, when Mary Magdalene says to Nicodemus, "I was one way, and now I'm completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him."
The song is the story of every Christian. We were broken, but Jesus came in the middle of our mess. Because heaven came to earth, we're forever changed. Matt points back to the cross in the line, "Love stretched out on a tree screaming out/So that I could say You've not forsaken me."
Whether or not you've seen The Chosen, "The In Between" is a perfect tear-jerker for every Easter playlist.
"I was one way/But now I am different/There was a clear change in a Holy collision/Who I was/And who I'll forever be/And He was the in between."
Phil Wickham, "Sunday Is Coming"
A common question asked around this time of year is, "Why is Good Friday called 'good'?" The Friday afternoon Jesus died could be called the worst Friday in history. How could the day when the Messiah died ever be considered good? Phil Wickham answers this question in his latest single, "Sunday Is Coming," with the simple refrain, "Friday's good 'cause Sunday is coming."
I've never heard a song quite like "Sunday Is Coming." While most worship songs solely focus on Jesus' resurrection, this one journeys through His entire story. From the betrayal of Judas to Jesus' last breath on the cross, the song touches on every moment in Jesus' fateful weekend. But it doesn't end with Jesus in the grave.
The chorus keeps repeating, "Friday's good 'cause Sunday is coming." The tempo picks up as Phil sings, "That wasn't the end/Let me tell you what happened next/The women came before the dawn to find that stone already gone/When they looked inside, the angel said, 'Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He's alive.'"
"Sunday Is Coming" could be sung at a Good Friday or Easter Sunday service, and it could be sung long after Easter as well. "Sunday Is Coming" concludes with the beautiful promise that our Savior will return for us. It's a reminder we need year-round.
"Don't lose hope 'cause Sunday is coming/Devil you're done, you better start running/Friday's good 'cause Sunday is coming."
Mitch Wong and Hope Darst, "Burial"
"No resurrection comes without a grave." That's the opening line of contemporary artists Mitch Wong and Hope Darst's latest single, "Burial," and it captures the message of the entire song. Death comes before the resurrection, both literally and metaphorically. "Burial" looks at the literal--Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. And it highlights the metaphorical--the death and sorrow we must endure in this life before beauty and redemption come.
The four-minute track is as simplistic as it is impactful. The chorus continually repeats, "There's a miracle after the burial/There's a miracle after the burial." When Jesus was in the grave, it seemed like all hope was lost. And when we endure trials, we often feel the same way. But "Burial" repeats the truth that miracles are coming. Hope is still on the horizon.
"Burial" is an upbeat track full of biblical truths, and it's the perfect song for Easter Sunday. If you add this to your playlist, I bet it will be a new hit among your church congregation.
"The seed must fall/Before the bud, the bloom, the beautiful/And tears may last the night before the joy/My faith is pressing on to the reward/You're my reward."
Passion Music, "Who Is Like The Lord"
I'm closing this list the same way I started it--with a song from Passion Music. Their music is a gift to the church, and I can't talk about Easter songs without highlighting a couple of their tracks.
On their latest album, I've Witnessed It, Passion released "Who Is Like The Lord," sung by worship leader Landon Wolfe. Although I'm slightly biased toward Passion, I love this new worship song. The title references Psalm 89:6-8, where the psalmist asks, "Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?"
As the song journeys through the story of creation and the miracles of Jesus, it reaches its climax as Landon sings, "Who could carry sin upon His shoulders?/Who endured the cross and scorned its shame?/Who was laid to rest like every other?/Who rose again and stormed out of the grave?" The following line answers the question: "The mighty Lion is Judah/The pure and spotless Lamb."
Regardless of what songs are on your Easter playlist, I pray you to use this time to point your congregation to Jesus, who sacrificed Himself because of His great love for us. Happy Easter, everyone.
"You are the one true King Lord over everything/Jesus, there is no other/Jesus, there is no other/Your word will never change/Your name is here to stay/Jesus, there is no other/Jesus, there is no other."
Grace Chaves has been a fan of all things Christian music since 2016. She is NRT's news editor, and one of NRT's youngest writers. Homeschooled, Grace is an author, loves Jesus, concerts, and road trips.
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