From the Deacon’s Bench - Easter 2025
By Canon Ken

The lectionary provides some choices for the readings on Easter Sunday. One of the choices is an excerpt from Isaiah. That reading starts out: “For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime.” The writer tells us that the Lord said this.

It sounds like a wonderful world that awaits us. Clearly people living in harmony, working together in community to support those around them. It hasn’t yet arrived. The dominant group in Jerusalem are not a joy and much weeping is heard. Around the world, there is still disease that need not be there if resources were shared, and war and poverty are a daily phenomena. So when will this take place?

The timing appears to be in our hands. Jesus told us how to live in harmony. His teachings outline mercy, forgiveness, love and support for all those around us. Then those in authority took him from us. Jesus was one more innocent person killed because humanity hasn’t fulfilled its part of the covenant with God. Easter itself was another lesson. Regardless of how bad we might be, Jesus came back to be with us. Sins are forgiven and there is another chance. His teachings survive and God is with us through the Spirit. Jesus provides what we need to work at God’s direction for a new heaven and a new earth.

Easter is a time of hope for the future. With Jesus at our side, some day there will be a much better world that will be a joy and its people will be a delight. Grab hold of the hope and let it fuel how we live in the world about us.