Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Monday, April 1, 2013 Read – Isaiah 11 We have now entered the Easter Season and also come to the conclusion of Luke’s gospel. Yesterday, we heard Luke’s story of the discovery of the empty tomb. There are really only two more segments in Luke’s gospel – the story of the Emmaus Road and the appearance of Jesus in Jerusalem and his departure from them. We are invited to ponder these events during the whole month of April – and that means that we will have time to reflect upon other parts of the Bible which compliment these words from Luke. We begin by picking up some more of Isaiah – most likely Luke’s favorite prophet. Later we will reflect upon Paul’s writings and their connection to the good news of the resurrection. Comments on these texts will be brief. Today we begin with Isaiah 11. The resurrection of Jesus brings with it the promise of God’s restoration of creation. Isaiah’s words paint a picture of that final restoration and provide a word of hope to all people. How does the promise of Easter bring you hope in a world often marked with despair and death? As Easter people we are invited to contemplate God’s restoration of all things and to let that reality inform our lives even today.