Pondering: The Darkness In Between

Easter Sunday… a time when we gather with fellow Jesus followers to reflect on Jesus's resurrection and the hope of salvation. Most years, Easter includes gathering with those dear to us, eating great food, enjoying rich laughter, and finding comfort in warm hugs.

Some years, however, are filled with pain, sorrow, distance, and grief. Easter feels more like the dark place between Jesus's crucifixion and the resurrection. The questions in the dark can be overwhelming. Why God? How could this happen? Why did they leave? Why are they doing this to us? Will this be over soon? Is change possible? Can restoration come? Will our relationships be healed? When, God, when?

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

Joy is coming; we have hope in this promise. But… we never know how long the night will last. It can be days, weeks, months, years, and even decades.  If you’re in darkness, may you be reminded that Jesus understands your pain. Scripture reveals a time when Jesus experienced darkness. A time when the physical light of the world was entirely vanquished and a lost sense of God’s presence; it was an absolute darkness.

From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Matthew 27:45-46

Jesus knows the depth of despair, and he sees and feels yours. When Jesus was crucified, all seemed lost; weeping lasted through a long, dark night, but joy came in the morning. The impossible became possible. Hope was restored, and the love of Christ reconciled us to God and one another. Death and darkness, ultimate death and darkness, were defeated.

If you’re in the place of darkness, may Easter remind you that you are seen, held, and cherished by the inseparable love of Jesus, the ray of hope in the abyss of darkness. 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

May the Lord bless you and keep you all your days, including the dark ones.

Pastor Andy