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I love driving through Epping Forest at this time of the year and I specially like the journey to Epping Upland Church. The trees are all coming alive with the fresh green of new growth and each journey reveals even more of Spring bursting forth. I’m convinced that God’s favourite colour is Green. He splashes it liberally across the earth from his Divine palette. The recent sunny weather has brought out the best in many. A number of people who have been under the weather have said to me how much better they feel because of the sunshine. There is new growth all around us. My garden was all but dead and unkempt a month ago but now it is teeming with new growth and is a source of great joy. Nature follows a cycle of creation and re-creation which is mirrored too in our human lives. On one level we move from birth to death—from Spring to Winter but on another level we are constantly being re-created and made new. This second level is, of course, the spiritual level and Easter is the crown of that new creation and creativity in the Church and in Christian lives. One of the Easter Carols we sing begins: Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain. The carol makes the connection between the new birth of Spring and the Resurrection of Jesus. Wheat that has lain in the dark earth suddenly bursts forth and is alive again. Jesus, laid in the grave comes forth at Easter. Love that was thought to be slain lives again as the refrain to each verse reminds us: Love is come again, Like wheat that springeth green. Love is come again– such beautiful words to describe the Resurrection and for Christians beginning a 50 day festival of Easter, it is a reminder of the essence of Resurrection. Love cannot be defeated. The love of God can never be killed off. Jesus embodies that Love on earth and as our Christ he is its dispenser eternally. Love triumphs. Jesus Christ conquers all that is not love—in the world; in us. For us it is a reminder—as Spring is a reminder—that God makes and re-makes all things –makes them new again—Renews. Easter faith is renewed faith with a real spring in its step. But maybe you don’t feel like that. We can’t manufacture Easter Joy. The Church Festival of Joy may be something we observe and yet not participate in fully. There is nothing worse than being at a celebration when everyone is enjoying themselves and you’re feeling miserable. So here’s the final verse of the Carol: When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain, Thy touch can call us back to life again, Fields of hearts, that dead and bare have been—Love is come again… Jesus went to the depths of the tomb and he knows the dark places of our lives. He is the Love who comes to us there and his touch can help us—if we let Him. |