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The Light Shines in the Darkness

By Pastor John Motz

In the Gospel of John, we read of Mary approaching the tomb that first Easter morning. The text reads "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb...." The phrase that gets me is "While it was still dark". Is this John's way of noting the time of day from before we were so clock conscious? Perhaps this description was included to help us visualize the scene he is narrating for us? Could he be describing a very relatable emotional state, that due to the loss and heartbreak of the past couple days, she was walking in the “darkness” of despair?
Any one of these, or even all could be true. Yet I think what John is describing is the dark of a world without a risen Savior, which is to be contrasted with the brilliant light of the resurrected Jesus. People all around us still live in this "darkness", yet all are invited to choose Jesus, to choose the Light.
It was "dark" as she approached, but it was Easter, so everything is about to change!
Dark is turned to Light! Despair is turned to Hope.
Defeat is turned to Victory. Death is turned to Everlasting Life!
We, as Easter people are invited the newness of life. I pray that the brilliance of this Easter will touch even the dark and hurting corners of each of our lives, to bring the light and healing that changes everything. Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed!