The Bible tells us in Hebrews 8:8that, “The days are coming,” says the Lord, “when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” This new promise would be unlike the first, one that would last forever.
Imagine purchasing a car with a seven-year warranty. During those years, you feel secure, knowing that any issue is covered. As the warranty nears its end, the dealer calls to offer you a free lifetime warranty—an agreement far better than the first. Who would refuse such a generous offer?
Similarly, the old covenant served its purpose, but it was only temporary. Through Jesus, God brought a new covenant that is eternal, unchanging, and available to everyone. This promise, sealed by Christ’s blood, offers complete assurance and peace.
As believers, we are called to trust in this everlasting covenant. Just as the old gave way to the new, God’s promise in Jesus is far greater, providing a lasting relationship with Him.
“For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 9:15)—a promise we can rely on forever.
Mark, chapter 16, verses 5-6, recounts a pivotal moment in Christian history. It tells of the women who went to the tomb of Jesus, carrying spices to anoint his body. Instead of finding him there, they were greeted by an angel who said, “He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.”
This declaration is central to the Christian faith. It signifies the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to rise from the dead, proving his power over sin and death. The empty tomb has become a symbol of hope and victory for all who believe in Jesus as their saviour.
Sean Barber, Lead Singer courtesy triumphantquartet.com
This powerful message is echoed in the song “Big Ole Stone” by Triumphant Quartet. Sean Barber, a member of the group, describes the essence of the song: “You know, if you believe that that grave is no longer full, that it’s empty, and that stone’s been rolled away, man, just lift your hands in victory. You’ve got hope. There’s better days coming. And this is your victory. And that’s the song in a nutshell.”
The song, featured on the group’s God is Listening CD, has resonated deeply with listeners. Its message of triumph and hope is reflected in its current standing as the number 9 song on the Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 list for this month.
For believers, the empty tomb is more than a historical moment—it is a reminder that victory is possible through faith. As Sean Barber says, “You’ve got hope. There’s better days coming.” This truth continues to inspire and uplift, bringing the message of Easter into the hearts of many.
Big Ole Stone (Victory) · Triumphant Quartet God Is Listening ℗ 2024 StowTown Records, LLC Released on: 2024-06-07
Mark 16 NASB: “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might come and anoint Him. And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb for us?” And looking up, they noticed that the stone had been rolled away; for it was extremely large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. But he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; see, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.
Now after that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. And they went away and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them, either.” – NASB
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In Matthew chapter 14, Dr. McGee begins by discussing Herod’s reaction to the fame of Jesus, believing him to be John the Baptist risen from the dead. Herod’s superstitious nature and guilt over the beheading of John are highlighted. The circumstances surrounding John’s death, influenced by Herodias and her daughter, are recounted as a “sadistic sad sorted sorry account”. Following this, the narrative shifts to Jesus withdrawing and then performing the miracle of feeding the 5,000. This miracle is emphasized as being recorded in all four gospels, highlighting its importance. The disciples’ initial suggestion to send the multitude away contrasts with Jesus’ command to feed them.
Dr. McGee then details the event of Jesus walking on the water, which occurs after he sends the multitude away to pray. The disciples’ fear at seeing him, believing him to be a spirit, is mentioned. Peter’s attempt to walk on water and his subsequent sinking when he loses focus on Jesus are described, emphasizing the importance of keeping one’s eyes on the Lord. The disciples’ eventual worship of Jesus as the Son of God after the wind ceases is noted. The speaker then transitions to Jesus healing multitudes in the land of Gennesaret.
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Jesus’ confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees who questioned his disciples about not washing their hands before eating. Jesus rebukes them for prioritizing their traditions over the commandments of God, using the example of honoring parents. He accuses them of hypocrisy, quoting Isaiah to highlight the disparity between their outward actions and inward hearts. Jesus clarifies that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, proceeding from the heart, listing evils such as evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, etc.. This confrontation is described as the real break between Jesus and the religious leaders.
Dr. McGee then delves into the Transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17. This event is presented as a vision shown to Peter, James, and John, where Jesus’ face shone like the sun, and Moses and Elijah appeared talking with him. The speaker emphasizes that the Transfiguration sets forth the perfect humanity of Christ and the hope of humanity for future glorification. God the Father’s voice from the cloud declaring, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him,” is highlighted as God’s ultimate testimony and the final authority. The disciples’ fearful reaction and Jesus’ reassuring touch are mentioned, culminating in them seeing “no man save Jesus only”.
Finally, Dr. McGee covers the healing of a demon-possessed boy that the disciples were unable to cure due to their unbelief. Jesus’ powerful rebuke of the demon and the subsequent healing are described as the “worst case” he dealt with. Jesus reiterates his impending betrayal, death, and resurrection to his disciples, who react with sorrow. The chapter concludes with the incident of the tribute money, where Jesus instructs Peter to catch a fish containing the necessary coin, demonstrating his power and provision. The speaker concludes by noting that the disciples were slow to believe and understand, and that Jesus is patient with believers today.
In a recent interview with Texas Gospel, Ernie Haas shared about his musical journey and his song You’ll Find Him There. The single is featured on the Ernie Haas and Signature Sound project Live in Memphis. Originally written in 2016 for the Clear Skies project, the song was created by Haas, Joel Lindsay, and Wayne Hahn. Despite being part of a successful album, it did not receive much focus at the time. Haas explained that the new recording allowed the song to fit better within its spiritual context, reflecting the heritage of Southern Gospel music.
(Link provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises)
Haas mentioned that many industry professionals thought the song must have come from one of the old-time Gospel groups. “A lot of the industry people are reaching out to us saying, where’d you find that song? Thinking that maybe I had it on an old cathedrals or statesman recording, and I’m and I was happy to smile and say, you know, the Lord gave us that song, and I’m glad that you like it!”
He appreciates the positive response and enjoys sharing that it is an original song. He added that some listeners prefer old songs and often request new music with a timeless quality. He finds it rewarding to see You’ll Find Him There achieving that goal.
The song is inspired by a well-known Old Testament passage where Elijah hears God’s voice as a still, small sound rather than in dramatic natural events. Haas said this story guided the message of the song, which encourages listeners to pause and listen for God amid life’s chaos.
(Photo Erniehaase.com)
“God is a gentleman,” Haas noted. “He’ll never scream at you. Love is always calling in a whisper, and you have to be still to hear it.”
Haas also discussed the songwriting process. He finds joy in collaborating with trusted colleagues like Lindsay and Hahn. For him, the process of creating something new with supportive partners is meaningful. After completing a song, he often shares it with his wife, Lisa, whose feedback helps him gauge how it might connect with a broader audience. He values her honest and constructive input.
Haas noted that life’s distractions and overwhelming noise can make it hard for people to hear God. He compared this to biblical accounts where Peter lost focus during a storm, looking at the waves instead of Christ. The song’s message is about finding peace in God’s presence, even during difficult times. Haas believes that challenges help people grow spiritually, focusing on Christ rather than personal comfort.
Haas concluded by emphasising that the goal of the song is to help listeners connect with Christ. He described the result of faith as a personal relationship with God, where both the believer and God are content together. “I need help. And the end result is Christ Himself, our hope, our glory. The end result isn’t what we think we need in life. We are very needy people, but the end result is Christ Himself, the still small voice, love himself, looking at us and us looking at him, and together, we are happy.”
You’ll Find Him There aims to encourage reflection and faith in a world filled with distractions.
Unlike humans, God does not dwell on the past, nor is He limited by the present or anxious about the future. He sees all of history—past, present, and future—simultaneously and vividly. From the creation of the world to the call of Abram, from the rise and fall of Israel to the life of Christ, and even the moments of today, all of time is before God’s eternal gaze. For Him, nothing is forgotten or filed away. As Psalm 90:4 reminds us, “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.”
This truth teaches us something profound: God is eternal. To say that God is eternal means He is not bound by time. Time, like all creation, is His workmanship, and as the Creator, He is above it. Unlike us—creatures limited by an unchangeable past and an uncertain future—God exists outside of time. His existence is timeless, standing above all He has made.
Understanding God’s eternal nature gives comfort and perspective. It reassures us that He sees the whole story of our lives, and nothing is beyond His reach or care. His eternal presence reminds us that while we may feel confined by time, we worship a God who is limitless and unchanging.
