Easter Day Year A 9th April 2023
Lectionary readings:
Jeremiah 31 v1-6, Psalm 118 v1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3 v1-4; Matthew 18 v1-10.
God keeps his promises.
The prophet Jeremiah was active before and during the time of the Babylonian invasion.
Jeremiah wrote, Some time ago, the Lord appeared to me and told me to say; Israel, I will always love you, that’s why I’ve been so patient and kind. You are precious to me and so I will rebuild your nation. Once again you will dance for joy. (Jeremiah 31 v3,4).
God kept his promise and the city of Jerusalem was rebuilt after the exile.
Matthew recalls what happened to the women who went to attend to the body of Jesus early on the third day after the crucifixion. They encountered an angel. The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. He isn’t here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would.” (Matthew 28 v5,6).
God kept his promise to Jesus and to us. The kingdom of God is here to stay.
The apostle Paul, writing to the Colossians spoke of how, by way of repentance and baptism, believers die to their old way of life and are raised with Jesus to a new life in the family of God.
Paul wrote, You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. (Colossians 3 v1).
Paul was encouraging followers of Jesus to give up their old values and habits and adopt those as taught by Jesus. They were to recognise that God had vindicated the teaching of Jesus when he raised him from death and installed him in the place of honour, at the right side of God. And as promised by Jesus, believers are blessed with the Holy Spirit who will guide their thinking.
The Psalmist spoke of a stone that the builders had rejected being acclaimed as the most important stone. (see Psalm 118 v22). New Testament writers saw this as relating to Jesus, rejected by the Temple leaders and now acclaimed as God’s promised Messiah. The Psalmist said, The Lord has done this and it is amazing to us. This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today.
(Psalm. 118 v23,24).
Percy Dreamer wrote this hymn of praise. (Singing the Faith No 403 v1,3,4).
God is love: his the care, tending each, everywhere.
God is love – all is there!
Jesus came to show him, that we all might know him.
Jesus came, lived and died, for our sake, crucified,
rose again, glorified;
he was born to save us, by the truth he gave us.
To our Lord praise we sing – light and life, friend and king,
coming down love to bring,
pattern for our duty, showing God in beauty.
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English Version.