These words have always caught my attention from the story of Easter, as they are in the immediate shadow of the account of where Jesus is falsely accused, violently flogged, mercilessly mocked, and unjustly punished (John 19). He was stripped of his clothes and nailed to a cross, where he hung until he died. He was buried in a borrowed tomb, which was sealed by a heavy stone, shutting out all light and signs of life. And there His body remained from Friday to Sunday morning.
The words capture me because of who is being talked about being up early, while it was still dark. It’s Mary Magdalene, who was feeling the darkness more profoundly than others, in that she had known darkness in a way few had ever experienced in their lives. The darkest part of her story involved being possessed by demons, and the obvious fear, rejection, and humiliation that surrounded that had been an intricate part of her life. And yet it was Jesus who had freed her from that shadowy bondage, and brought light, and freedom, and a sense of belonging into her life, so His killing was especially painful for her. Especially dark.
So, she gets up early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, and goes to the tomb, to be near the only One who had rescued her from her darkness in the past, even if He was dead and buried in a darkened tomb. Her movement demonstrates her belief that in Jesus, she would find comfort, hope, and some semblance of meaning in all that had transpired over the past few days. Indeed, she didn’t wait for the circumstances to improve, or to even make sense before she moved toward Jesus. Rather, it’s in the confusion, the dimness, the fear, and shattered dreams, while it was still dark, that she moves towards Him. And that made all the difference for her.
*Spoiler Alert* (if you don’t know the Easter story, you can read it here) Her reward for going while it was still dark was to discover that Jesus was no longer dead, but had conquered death and darkness, and was alive! Her despair was shattered by hope, her grief was consumed by comfort, her tears were dried by joy, and, dare I say it, her darkness was displaced by light. I wonder if she recalled Jesus’ own words when He had said, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46)
Our darkness may not involve literal demons, but it may involve loss, disruption, sickness, brokenness, addictions, and, yes, even death. There are times in our stories when it is especially dim, bleak, and hopeless. It is in those times, while it is still dark, that the light shines the brightest, and a dazzling display of healing, belonging, hope, and life breaks forth. So, let’s take our clue from Mary, while it is still dark, and go to the One who can make all the difference. We don’t have to remain in darkness.
If you want to go to a place where the Light of the world is being talked about this weekend, click this link of churches attended by some of our employees where they are reflecting on and celebrating His victory over darkness in various services. I encourage you to check them out, and feel free to contact the employee who I’m sure would save you a seat. And if you download the free YouVersion Bible app, there are several reading plans and devotionals available to dive deeper into the story of Jesus and His resurrection. And as always, Barbie and I are available to discuss this with you too.
Enjoy your Good Friday holiday doing something other than air conditioning, and it is Barbie’s and my hope that this Easter is an especially joyful and enlightening time for you!
Rich Hart
Director of Comfort Care
Tri County Air Employee Newsletter 