The Light of Resurrection - Pt 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:1-13 ESV).

Today we are going to begin a slightly different series of devotionals. My hope is that you will use the interactive suggestions along with your reading. They are written to be used in conjunction with any grouping or types of seven candles. Today will be introductory; however, my suggestion is that you secure your candles and be ready to begin tomorrow. All seven should be burning as you begin reading the first devotional. Instructions within the reading tell you when to snuff out one candle. On the second day, six candles burn as you begin reading, and you snuff out one of them when instructed, and so on. On the last day, the last candle is extinguished, representing and reminding us of the darkness of Good Friday. Then on Easter, there will be instructions to light all seven candles. Our reading from the Scripture helps us with the symbolism and use of candles. The apostle says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (verse 5). It was a long time while it seemed as if the darkness was overcoming. Beginning with the call of Abraham and ending with the birth of Jesus it must have seemed dark indeed. These seven candles will symbolize the Light of the World, the Light that was God’s glory and that illuminated God for us, the Light that, in the end, seemed to have been darkened. As we move through the days preceding Easter, the candles are snuffed out one by one, until they are all dark helping us to remember when Jesus died and the earth was covered with darkness. To the early disciples it seemed the Darkness had won. The Light of the World had been extinguished. It was finished. I can’t imagine how difficult it was that they had to wait until that first Easter morning to realize the Light had won. Easter brings resurrection! Jesus had returned victorious over death and Hell! All of this was for us! What a glorious day that must have been. So it is today!