On Broadway, the theaters historically have gone ‘dark’ on Mondays to provide a full day off after a Tuesday through Sunday production. Last March, all theaters in New York City and across the country along with sporting venues, restaurants and even churches went dark. All has been ‘dark’ for over a year now providing folks time off from some established norms.
Has this past year been 'dark' for you? Know that darkness never overtakes light. The light can be withdrawn and darkness will result but darkness cannot overtake light. To test this, open a closet door on a bright spring morning. Darkness from the closet will not overtake the room. Rather, the light will illumine the inside of the closet. How have better norms illumined your home during this ‘dark’ time of Covid lockdowns?
It was about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. … the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. … suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” – Luke 24:1-6. From ever so dark darkness on Friday to “like lightning” on Sunday. Wow! And, as recorded in John 20:16, Mary Magdalene met Jesus face to face. The Son has risen indeed, blasting His light through the darkness. It had not happened before and it has not happened since – Jesus the Christ was crucified, dead and buried. On the third day, He rose from the dead, appeared to the women then to His disciples. And then He appeared to the many, 500 plus. He did not just appear, He talked with them and ate with them! Historical documents outside of scripture refer to Jesus as a good teacher or prophet. But good teachers and prophets die and stay dead. Jesus conquered death and walked out of the tomb as the risen Lord. Share the reality that the Light of the world rose on Easter with your family by reading the gospel of John, chapter 20, together.
The disciples had thoughts of returning to the normal lives they led prior to meeting Jesus. What they realized very quickly when Jesus walked through the locked doors and stood among them (John 20:19), was that there would be no returning to established norms. They were charged to move forward with a better normal in the power of the resurrected Christ and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Today it is easy to forget that we serve an Almighty Christ. The charge is to courageously step forward in His light, into a better normal for the sake of our homes, the Church and our nation.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for Your word and for the Light granted to this world that first Easter morn. I confess I had established norms well before Covid that compromised my relationship with You. Forgive me. Over this past year, I have purged established norms that distracted me from You and the blessings of family. The Easter celebration this year holds new meaning as Your light blasts through the darkness of the lockdowns. Help me courageously step forward in Your light to lead my family in a better normal. That is the dad you call me to be and that’s the dad the next generation needs. Amen.
A faithful father courageously steps forward in His light, into a better normal.
