The Light of Resurrection - Pt 9

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:15-20 ESV).

Today is the last day of our devotionals leading us to an experience of the “light of resurrection.” You should begin without any of your candles burning. The darkness is complete. If it were not for the ambient light of your computer of electronic device from which you are reading this devotional, or other light streaming in from the windows, you would not be able to see anything. Force yourself to experience that kind of distress. It is dark. You cannot see anything; you cannot know which way to turn; you cannot move in this paralysis of the unknown. It is that moment before the dawn on Easter morning. Now, begin to slowly light each candle. Watch how each one begins to force the darkness away. This is the work of the Resurrection. Remember that Jesus is God! He cannot stay dead. HE IS ALIVE. The true Glory of God shines in the world. The Light has won! The Eternal Light! The Bright Morning Star! The Light of the World! Matthew recalls the experience of the women who arrived at the tomb that first Easter morning: Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” (Matthew 28:1-7 ESV). Everyone has dark days. They are days of extreme stress, abandonment, verbal and emotional battery, mockery and humiliation; they are days that may feel like a crucifixion. They are days of pain and death. Jesus had one of those days. And like most of us when we have one of those days, He finished His day in a dark place, a place of nightmares; but, light struck back. Jesus overcame darkness. You can, too. Trust Him… He’s got this!