Making Sense of Easter
Introduction
Arriving through Jesus is a new world, but none are forced to enter it.
Screaming from the pages of Scripture as Isaiah 64 finishes is a terrible cry to a deaf God.
Heaven's silence is a foreboding thing to the listening. It mocks prayers and makes the universe a frighteningly forsaken place.
This desperate call is for God to re-enter His world. To rend the heavens (Is 64:1-2) is both a plea for judgement and an appeal for salvation.
God has heard; the heavens are torn 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 to receive 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 Isaiah 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. Pain is now eliminated and living is centered on a destination of delight with a people of joy.
God will gather in His chosen ones to share this (v19, 22) and enjoy His changes.
Jerusalem had become at that first Easter the altar to sacrifice God.
Jerusalem the city called Peace, had become at that first Easter the altar to sacrifice God. Now it too finds recognition and renewal. A place that neither gives nor receives peace will become a place of peace; a place for people of joy.
Easter is God's reversal mechanism for a world in decay; war is replaced with peace and sadness with joy.
Easter delivers delights
A new world will enter this world. History is perfected and paradise permanently regained. The promise of life to the full has become complete. (John 10:10b)
Joy, security, fellowship with God, peace (evil's absence) will rule. The only innocent man ever lost His life that many may gain it forever.
God now finds delight in His people and rejoices in them. (v19). (NOTE: It is just so very nice when someone is happy with you.)
The loss of energy that brings despair and sorrow to the soul is removed. There is a place of successful and fruitful work.
Life will be as it should be, as it was meant to be when man first walked with God in Eden.
Easter delivers fulfilment
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 in continuing praise. Forever is simply how long all this lasts.
Easter screams from two metres above the ground - look at me, look at what I have for you. Do not ignore me but invite me - for 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. (Isaiah 45:22)
The appeal of that first Easter was written seven centuries before it. This is Christ's love and terror-filled invitation released across earth.
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing". (Luke 23:34a)
Jesus has thrown the doors to God's heaven wide open, forgiveness is now available. The decision about entry becomes irrevocable and the consequences eternal.
Arriving through Jesus is a new world, but none are forced to enter it.
The invitation still stands, The Cross still speaks today (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". (Isaiah 55:1-3a)