Psalm 95 seems an appropriate reading as I prepare to head into this Easter weekend . . . gathering with the saints tonight to contemplate Calvary’s dark hill and the sacrifice of a Savior . . . and then meeting together again on Sunday . . . to exalt the risen Christ . . . to feed on His life impacting word . . . and, what a great tradition at LTCC, to enjoy some extended fellowship while feasting over a banquet table filled with sumptuous fare. And as I anticipate the poignancy and joy of this weekend . . . as I anticipate feeding deeply on meditative thought and then snacking on some pretty good food . . . the psalmist reminds me not to forget to “eat my greens” . . . not to forget the “let us.”

1 ¶ Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2 Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!
3 For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
4 In His hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are His also.
5 The sea is His, for He made it,
and His hands formed the dry land.
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! (Psalm 95:1-6 ESV)

Oh, what an invitation the Spirit of God extends to those who are “the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (95:7). Three times I’m asked to come . . . the idea of “come” having a number of different “flavors” . . . come before . . . come meet . . . come to receive . . . come in anticipation . . . come quickly . . . but, thirsting saint, just come! How often do I go to church but never come to the Lord? How often do I enter His building but never enter His presence? How often have I met with His people but not really discerned His Body? Not this weekend, by God’s grace, this weekend I will come.

And this weekend I will come in anticipation of participation . . . come prepared to engage . . . come ready to obey and to be part of the call to “let us!”

Let us sing . . . let us make a joyful noise . . . let us enter His presence with thanksgiving . . . let us lift enraptured hearts with songs of praise . . . let us worship and bow down . . . let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! Talk about your commands to obey. Let us just do it!

If there was ever a weekend to let loose a bit, this is the weekend. If ever a gathering where we say “less starch, please” and instead dance as David did about the ark (2Sam. 6:14) . . . ok . . . . so maybe not dance . . . but could we at least tap our toes? . . . clap our hands? . . . crack a smile, maybe? How do you make a joyful noise without a bit of physical expression? Let us come before the Lord . . . let us bow down and then let us rise up . . . let us kneel and then let us lift our hands (if only in our hearts) . . . let us worship and worship from the inner man. For He is risen!

For the LORD is a great God . . . a great King above all gods. What King has loved His people such that He would take off His crown and enter their world? What King has come not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom? What King has born the reproach and shame of those He created and came to redeem? What King has held back the army of heavens from rescuing Him as He determines to do the Father’s will? What King has died in perfection in order to become sin for others? What King has risen again, on the third day, just as the Scriptures said? What King is ascended on high, even now at the Father’s right hand . . . making intercession . . . and preparing a place for His people? What King is coming again . . . in all His glory to take His people home? My King.

He is risen! Yes, He is risen indeed!

So come, my soul . . . come before the risen King. Consider afresh His humility and suffering . . . meditate deeply on the sacrifice paid . . . and then, experience “again for the first time” the reality and joy of finding an empty tomb. And then, my soul, let us sing . . . and give thanks . . . and make a joyful noise . . . and bow down . . . and worship. Oh, it’s gonna be a good weekend! Amen?