Background
In Luke's Gospel the brightly shining men speak to the grievingwomen come to the tomb after Jesus' death: "Why do you look for theliving among the dead? He is not here, but has risen" (Luke24:5). This is the message of our passage today. Isaiah speaksto a people over preoccupied with the past; its failures and hurts,its triumphs and victories. There is a temptation to allow the pastto hold us; digging up the old bones of stories from before thatstill imprison us, and remembering the failures and unhappinessthat shape our now. There is a further temptation to look back toallow the ghosts of yesterday to 'chirp and mutter' about thepresent, giving the past undue glory and authority over the presentand too much power to shape tomorrow in unhelpful ways. In thiscontext Isaiah points to the coming of Christ and sets our sightsonto a future that is both more wonderful than anything in thepast. Here is one who is able to conquer the ancient stories ofgrief and anguish. Christ comes as Lord of the living: "I came thatthey may have life, and have it abundantly" (John10:10). We are not therefore to "consult ... the dead on behalfof the living" (v. 19). As Jesus tells us: "Let the dead bury theirown dead" (Matthew 8:22).
To Ponder
Where does your yesterday overshadow yourtoday?
Where do you rely on old habits to cope withpresent difficulties?
How might you change your perspective, attitudesand behaviour?
A challenge:
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came thatthey may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)