Indeed

Kay Medicine Bull, writing in the newsletter from Heritage Living Center, says, “From political unrest to devastating wildfires and unprecedented plane crashes, it seems the world is shifting in ways we never expected. Inflation continues to rise, and many are struggling with job security, making it harder to afford even basic necessities.” Each day we’re bombarded with news of illegal deportations and unwise ecological choices. Dare we really celebrate Easter?

ISAIAH writes to returned exiles from Babylon (65:17-25) whose lives are in chaos: “For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.” The newness of course for Christians is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Even predators will exist on fodder, and children will be born with the expectation of Life. Who woulda thought? This newness will do away with evil and sordidness, and the hoped-for longevity will be common.

ACTS 10:34-43 is Peter’s declaration of the resurrection of Jesus to Cornelius and friends, a group of Gentiles. This is the centrality of Easter, and indeed all of the Christian Life. Before Easter, the idea of peace and tranquility was absurd–but now? More than for merely the Jewish returnees from Babylon, the possibility of new things was for all!

JOHN 20:1-10 is the story of two guys who didn’t expect to see the Living Jesus. Running to the tomb where they had last seen him, they peeked in and didn’t find him. There are those (many?) this Easter morning who don’t expect to see the Living Jesus. They’ll peek in, but then slowly shake their heads and go back to their usual business. Can ANYone believe, almost 2000 years after the fact?

The Church grows smaller, day by day, yet ever more insistent that Jesus was resurrected for even the selfish and the ingrown. You and I are called to believe the story is true, and to live as though the Lord is risen…He is Risen Indeed!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come join us every Tuesday to be explored by the Revised Common Lectionary scriptures assigned to the upcoming weekend–at horacebrownking.com