Risen Rabboni!

“There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).  “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou?  Whom seekest thou?  She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away.  Jesus saith unto her, Mary.  She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master.  Jesus saith unto her… Go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God” (John 20:15-17). 

How bitter the prospect had seemed on that morning,

For someone had carried His body away!

How cruel was His death!  How callous the scorning!

And now He was absent upon the third day!

Is this now the Gardener, as we might suppose,

Now speaking to Mary who weeps at His loss?

No!  Rather it’s Jesus our Savior who rose,

Who took away sin by His death on the cross!

The risen Rabboni!  How wondrous the sight!

How sweet was His word when He spoke Mary’s name!

We stand in her place and rejoice with delight

At hearing His voice speak to us just the same! 

How high we are lifted by what He has done,

As brethren promoted to this lofty place!

We call on the Father, we trust in the Son,

And thus we are born by His Spirit of grace!

O risen Rabboni, our Savior and Lord,

Our Master forever, our great Friend supreme,

We thank You for blessings upon us now poured,

As You call us brethren with those You redeem!