On The Third Day – Song Story
The main reason I write worship songs like On The Third Day is to express through music the wonder and greatness of God. As I think about the song On The Third Day here are some thoughts that hopefully share the song’s story.
The most important event in the history of mankind is the miracle that happen nearly 2000 years ago in Jerusalem. There was a man who was also God incarnate named Jesus. He had a three year ministry that ended by the most heinous punishment ever devised by man. The method of death was the Roman practice of crucifixion on a wooded cross.
Jesus was put on the cross by the religious leaders of the day. At the time they refused to see who Jesus was. As a result of their ignorance, Jesus died on the cross then was buried in a tomb. Now for most any other human that would be the end of the story. However, Jesus was in no way ordinary. The miracle of resurrection occurred after three days in a sealed tomb.
The resurrection of Jesus is God’s gift to mankind to offer one final sin offering. Jesus became the sacrificial lamb to take away the sins of the world. You only need to believe this in faith to receive atonement and be set free from the punishment of sin. This is the good news that every Christian now has hope for heaven .
Song Lyrics
From all splendor and majesty Jesus came from heaven to earth He brought a gift greater than gold worth much more than I could afford On the third day the Son did rise On the third day My hope shined bright On the third day My Lord is alive Jesus hung upon Calvary's cross Crucified to save mankind He was reviled and spit upon Paid full price for all of my sins On the third day the Son did rise On the third day My hope shined bright On the third day My Lord is alive His disciples went to the grave They neared the tomb where he was laid Looking inside and seeing no one For the risen Lord is alive On the third day the Son did rise On the third day My hope shined bright On the third day My Lord is alive
Why I wrote On The Third Day?
On the Third Day was written because I wanted to express in song one of the greatest events in the history of the world. The song starts out with the humility of Jesus leaving heaven. His gold was to bring a gift worth more than everything a person could imagine. The Bible speaks many time regarding the three day period between death and resurrection. As the song progresses I wanted to paint a picture of the terrible way Jesus died. The chorus of the song however speak of hope. Jesus without sin became the perfect sacrifice to take away sin. The proof came on the third day where Jesus is alive. The bridge of the song is about the witnesses to the miracle. The tomb where Jesus was place was empty. It was exactly as Jesus predicted. The hope is the song brings to remembrance of this amazing historical act and the hope every Christian has.
What inspired the song On The Third Day?
The song is inspired by a combination of several bible verses. Here are ones that stand out in regards to the song itself
Scripture References
“He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”
1 Corinthians 15:4
As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’
Matthew 27:65-66
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
Hosea 6:2
That the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
Luke 24:7
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
Matthew 16:21
And said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
Luke 24:46
But God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,
Acts 10:40
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
John 20:1
And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:31
Saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Luke 9:22
And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”
Mark 10:34
And deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
Matthew 20:19
For he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”
Mark 9:31
And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.”
Luke 18:33
What message would you like people to take from the song Praise and Honor?
One day everyone will meet the Creator. For those who’s hope is in a eternal home in heaven this song attempt to portray what that might be like. Think about that moment where there is not more pain. Jesus wipes away your tear. Forever to be set free from the sin that weighs up down daily.
In this song it is my hope that the individual that sings these words will have a fore knowledge of what it will be like in heaven. Christian devotion to God start now. Let us give praise and honor to God as Almighty Majesty.
Listen to On The Third Day
Related Links
- Praise and Honor – Electronic Press Kit EPK
- Song Resource for Worship Leaders
- Download the song On The Third Day by John Pape
- Watch On The Third Day on YouTube
- Pre-Save On The Third Day at DistroKid