Many things have happened in the last week. On Friday we met for a service of shadows. As the lights went out and the candles were extinguished, the room grew somber. As I watched the Christ candle go out, I feared to breathe. It took longer than I thought and for a moment, I feared it would not go out at all. I feared what it would imply if Jesus did not die.
On Saturday we gathered in darkness again. Nick preached about the utter silence as the disciples despaired the loss of all hope. God did not save Jesus from the cross. Their Messiah was gone. They had sacrificed everything and lost it all. The room was heavy.
And yet on Easter morning, as we came into the sanctuary with candles lit, we brought light into the darkness. We exclaimed that he was risen and that he had appeared to his disciples. Finally those who were spiritually blind had seen a light shining in the darkness. Christ had been revealed to them in the glory of God as victorious over sin and death.
And this week we hear:
“We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life…”
~ 1 John 1:1
What images do you see in this one verse?
This author evokes images of the creation, where God said let there be light, and there was. A creation , where he commanded the world to order itself into being; where he breathed life into humanity. And on the first day, God separated the light from the darkness and there was day, and there was night. “And there was evening, and there was morning- the first day.” (Gen 1:3)
He offers and image of what we have heard. We have heard the teachings of Christ, we have sat at his feet and listened to him as he gave the Beatitudes and offered parables concerning his vision of a new kingdom on earth. We have seen with our eyes miraculous healings, generous compassion, love for the broken and the outcast. We have seen the face of God in Jesus the Christ. We have seen Christ die and rise in response to sin and death.
We have looked at and touched Jesus’ hands and his side. As Thomas requested proof that Jesus really was their risen Lord, we find that it is true. HE IS RISEN INDEED!
But this Is neither the beginning nor the ending of our story. This week we are invited to participate in bringing light to the darkness. Join us as our journey from the cross brings us new life in the resurrection of Christ and a new a new word regarding eternal life.