We are in the midst of the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression. I think it is likely that, in retrospect, this will be called a depression. (The Great Depression is called “Great” to distinguish it from other smaller depressions that the United States economy suffered at other times.)

The word depression is used in several contexts. Above, it used in an economic context. It can also be used in an emotional/psychic context. Think of Jesus’ mother, Mary, and the other women who watched Jesus die a slow, agonizing death. That was depressing. Burying Jesus was depressing.

But the good news is that Jesus didn’t stay in the tomb. Jesus was raised to new life. Jesus was resurrected. Jesus lives on. So it is with the economy. This recession/depression will end. There will be new life in the economy. The economy will receive a new life.

Whether it is the economy, the death of a loved one, a loss of a job, a loss of a beloved pet, these and many other trials and tribulations that we receive in life and our sad feelings about these events will end. There will be resurrection. There will be Easter. This is good news!

Every one of us will die. But death is not the end of us. Jesus broke the bonds of sin and death. A new life awaits us. We celebrate Easter to celebrate this good news. Jesus lives! Our troubles are gone! Not even “death … can separate us from the love of God.” (Romans 8:38-39)