I am one of those people who has always been afraid of the dark. Now that I am a grownup, I have it under “control,” but when I was little I would be overwhelmed by the dark at times. Even though I would bury myself under my blankets and try to imagine brighter places, there were still those nights when it became too much for me. I would cry out for Mom and Dad. They would come to my rescue, put their arms around me, and assure me that everything would be all right. When they left the room, it would still be dark, but the fear would be gone and I too believed that everything would be all right.
Easter is God’s word of assurance that everything will be all right, even in the darkness. Of all places, it is at the grave that the women hear the wonderful news that Jesus is risen from the dead. Can you imagine a darker place to hear the greatest news? Our experience is the same. Even in the darkest moments and darkest places of our lives, the promise of the gospel is that God meets us in those moments and places. In the darkness, God takes us in his arms to assure and comfort us. The goods news of Easter is that the dark cross of Calvary was not the end. We need not be afraid. God has the final word in all that happens. Even when the darkness remains in our lives, the fear can be taken and, like the women of old, we come to see and believe in the promise of Easter. A promise which wonderfully says that by God’s grace and power everything will be all right. We are and will remain in God’s arms and keeping. May we find comfort and strength in that Easter promise.
Peace,
Pastor Summer
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