This song was written many years ago by a man named Alfred Ackley.  Alfred’s dad was a pastor and a talented musician. He started giving his son Alfred music lessons when he was a very little boy . Alfred went on to study music in New York and London.  Over time, Alfred also became a pastor butt he never stopped playing music and writing songs.  While working with one of the world’s most famous pastors, Billy Sunday, a young student came up to Alfred and asked him, “Why should I worship a dead Jew.” (He was referring to Jesus’ death on the cross.) Alfred tried to share with him that   That’s the whole point.  Jesus isn’t dead; He’s alive! Jesus rose from the grave and He is ALIVE today!

Well, this conversation really bothered Alfred.  He then later heard another man say something similar on the radio that it didn't matter if Christ was still dead.  Alfred was furious. “It’s a lie!” he shouted at the radio set and threw it across the room.  His wife did hear him, however, and questioned, “Why are you shouting so early in the morning?”  “Didn’t you hear what that preacher just said?” he replied. “He said it didn’t matter whether Jesus is risen or not!”  Rev. Ackley knew that the truth of the resurrection DID matter and he again remembered his conversation with the young student who had asked him “Why should I worship a dead Jew?”

Well, that Easter Sunday morning, Alfred he preached differently than he had ever preached before---a very powerful message--but at the end of the day, still felt that he had not yet said everything he wanted to say!  His wife suggested he do what he does best and write a song about these convictions.  You’ll have something that will go on telling the story for many years to come—even long after you die.  That very night, Pastor Alfred Ackley wrote out the words, and then composed.

​

"But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him." 

Mark 16:6