In the 80's, there was much emphasis on the date a believer was 'born again.' For the longest time I couldn't remember, until I wrote this song. It was Easter Sunday, March 29, 1970.

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The Presbyterian church in Auburn Washington, where I attended as a youngster, held an annual Maundy Thursday service to celebrate the last supper of Christ. Though I had gone to church for several years with my mom, and my grandmother, I did not have any kind of relationship with Christ. Occasionally, someone would ask me the question "who is Jesus to you" and I'd give the answer I thought I was supposed to give, usually "I love him". I knew of Jesus, but I didn't know Jesus.

At the Maundy Thursday service, the story of the Last Supper was heart wrenching for me. Jesus knew he was about to die, and I was aware for the first time that his death was to save me from all I had ever done wrong. I was sorrowful, grateful, and ashamed all at the same time. I was playing my guitar during that service, and remember looking through tear-filled eyes at the cross which was draped with a linen cloth. I imagined I saw Christ hanging there, wearing a crown of thorns, and I knew I loved him. I literally mourned his death, until 3 days later on Easter Sunday morning when we celebrated Christ's resurrection. I'll never forget Pastor Jim excitedly proclaiming "He's alive!! Jesus is alive!!" That morning, I made my first commitment to Christ, and entered into a relationship with him that will last the rest of my life.

© 2001 Jack E. Helser, Jr. All Rights Reserved.

When I was just a little boy

I went to Sunday school

And listened to the stories

Of Noah and Joseph too

On the classroom wall there hung

A painting of the Lord

A little boy was sitting on his knee

Jesus smiled as He held him

And children gathered 'round

They giggled as he told them a story

I imagined I was with them

Sitting at His feet

But I knew not who He was

Or why He'd come

I found myself years later

At the table of the Lord

To eat the bread of Christ

And drink His wine of love

There were seven candles burning

One for each word of Christ

Spoken as he hung upon the cross

As the pastor read each word He spoke

A candle was put out

Until the light of only one remained

"Father into thy hands

I commend my spirit"

Were the final words Christ spoke

Before he died

As the pastor put the candle out

I looked up at the cross

And saw the Lamb of God hanging there

I remember how the tears welled up

When He hung His head and died

I knew at last I loved Him

While silently I cried

On Easter Sunday morning

The pastor stood to speak

He said with joy: "Jesus is alive"

He led us all in simple prayer

To have new life in Christ

When I said "yes" to Jesus

He gave me brand new life

I was born on Easter morning

The first day of my life

I owe my all to Jesus

I'm never going to die

© 2001 Jack E. Helser, Jr. All Rights Reserved.