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. It is at the grave, that darkest of places, where the women hear the wonderful news that Jesus is risen from the dead. The witness of the church, down through the ages, is that our experience will be the same. Even in the darkest moments and darkest places of our lives, the promise of the gospel is that God will meet us there, takes us in his arms, and find ways to assure us. The goods news of Easter is that the dark cross of Calvary was not the end. God has the final word in all that happens. We need not be afraid. Even when the darkness sometimes remains in our lives, like that little boy who found comfort in his parents’ arms, the fear is gone. We find assurance and come to believe the promise that everything will be all right, not because the world magically changes, but because we are in God’s keeping and grace. May we find comfort and strength in that Easter promise.
Peace,
Pastor Summer
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