Joyful Response

Especially after the harsh winter from which we are slowly recovering, it’s easy to think during Lent of the natural world.  The name Lent comes simply from the Old English ‘lenten’, referring to the days getting longer as winter moves into spring.  My abiding memories of Easters past are of daffodils and the occasional walk in the countryside, where the woods and fields show signs of nature’s colour returning.

Isaiah writes of ​​​​​​​the rain and snow coming down from heaven.  ​​​​​​‘[They] do not return,’ he says, ‘but instead water the earth and make it produce and yield crops, and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat.’ (Isaiah 55:10 – Net Bible.)  Check out the rest of that chapter, and you’ll see that its aim is not a lesson in physical and economic geography.  It tells instead of God’s provision, and the great rewards that will come to those who abandon their own (wicked) lifestyle and (sinful) plans, and return to Him (v. 7.)  Nature itself will lead the responding celebrations of joy (vv.12-13.)

Another recollection of a spring walk in the countryside is the early lambs gambolling in the meadows.  Here, too, Isaiah provides a divine perspective and, if your musical background is anything like mine, you have to pinch yourself to remember that it wasn’t Isaiah copying Handel but vice versa, as we read that ‘all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.’  There’s no getting away from the truth of Easter, for the verse continues, ‘and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.’ (Isaiah 53:6 – KJV.)

So, as we gradually appreciate the magnitude of this promise, and the sacrifice it involves, how are we to respond?  My suggestion is this.  Just as in the Old Testament the Israelites were encouraged to pay an eye for an eye, etc. (Exodus 21:24-5,) so we should trade sacrifice for sacrifice.  This idea isn’t an original one.  Look at Romans 12:1 and you’ll see what I mean.  Paul encourages us to offer our bodies ‘as a sacrifice, alive, holy and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.’  A preacher I heard recently explained that the Greek word that appears here as ‘reasonable’ can also mean ‘logical’; i.e. it is logical that we should respond in this way to the sacrifice that Jesus made on the Cross to win forgiveness for us from the consequences of our sins.

Having set the thought before you, dear reader, I will now leave it to mature.  Read on in this chapter of Romans, and you will find one of Paul’s many lists of the gifts and attributes of the Christian.  He also offers practical ways in which they may be employed.  Each idea he presents is a possible expression of the Joy which is ours at Easter.