Making Sense of Easter
Introduction
There is a terrible cry to a deaf God screaming from the pages of scripture as Isaiah 64 finishes. (see v15)
Heaven's silence is a foreboding thing. It mocks our prayers and makes the universe a frighteningly forsaken place.
The desperate call for God to re-enter His world, rend the heavens (the beginning of Is 64) is both a plea for judgement and salvation.
God had heard, the heavens are rent and He descends as Jesus. Easter is His response.
Heaven has not been silent, inactive or inattentive. Easter has entered all lives, that all may hear from heaven.
Easter introduces the involved God, not the god of disinterest.
Easter declares God's good intentions across time to this world
(The following thoughts are lifted from Is 65:17-25)
Easter delivers the future
God's intentions are to eliminate the cries of Is 64:1, creating a promised land superior to both Eden and Canaan. This is a vision of breathtaking scope. Involved is all of creation with none of the memory.(v17) The presence of pain eliminated, centred around a destination of delight with a people of joy.
God will gather in His chosen ones to share this (v9, 22) and enjoy His changes.
Jerusalem the city called peace, had become that first easter the altar to sacrifice God. Now it finds recognition and renewal. A place that neither gives nor receives peace will become a place of peace and a people of joy.
Easter is God's reversal mechansim for a world in decay.
Easter delivers delights
A new world will enter with a history perfected and a paradise regained, permanently. The promise of 'life to the full" has become complete. (Jn 10:10b)
Joy, security, fellowship with God, peace and evil's absence will rule. The only innocent ever, lost His life that many may gain it forever.
God now finds delight in His people and rejoices in them. (v19). It is just so nice when someone is happy with you.
The enervation that brings despair of soul and sorrow is removed. The place of successful and fruitful work, no robbery and pre-answered prayer all for His chosen ones delight.
Life will be as it should be, as it was meant to be when man walked with God in Eden.
Easter delivers fulfillment
Harmony and safety has become the order of life (v25).
Now a cosmic paradise exists with one vast sanctuary where all that is harmful is banished forever.
History is perfected and paradise regained that we may rejoice forever. Forever is simply how long all this lasts.
Easter screams from 2 metres above the ground - 'look at me, look at what I have for you. Do not ignore me but invite me. This is what my nail pierced limbs are for!'
Conclusion
"Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other. Is 45:22
This is the appeal of that first easter, the terror-filled invitation cried to heaven from those ancient elevated timbers.
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing". (Lk 23:34a)
Jesus has thrown the doors to God's heaven wide open, forgiveness now available. The decison about entry becomes irrevocable and the consequences eternal. Through Jesus comes a new world but God won't force anyone to enter it.
The invitation still stands. The cross still speaks, but His wounds don't hurt Him anymore.
"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live". (Is 55:1-3a)
