My father went to the doctor and after testing, it was discovered that he had cancer. This is a time when life looks dark. Darkness seemed to have invaded his world, but in the midst of this storm there was the light of Jesus. His faith in Jesus as his Savior would carry him through this illness all the way to heaven itself.
There will be times in life when we will face difficult, dark times. Undoubtedly, the enemy will try to discourage you from looking to the Light of Jesus where there is hope and healing. Sometimes we may not receive a physical healing, but a spiritual healing during a trial. Maybe you are in the midst of a trial right now and the Lord is calling you to look up to the Light of Christ in the middle of your darkness. To encounter Jesus!
Darkness of Death
When Jesus died on the cross on Good Friday, darkness covered the land and all hope seemed to be lost. This was another time when life looks dark. [1] John 20:1Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.[2] What was going through the mind of Mary Magdalene as she faithfully walked to the tomb of Jesus? She had gotten up early to go to the tomb while it was still dark. If I were her, the darkness of the predawn would be symbolic of what I would feel.
Light of Life
Mary was crying outside the tomb. She was confused because the stone had been miraculous rolled away from the tomb and two white robbed angels were inside. John 20:13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.
“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” 16 “Mary!” Jesus said. [3]
Life looked dark to Mary until she recognized Jesus. He was raised from the dead just like He said He would. In the same manner, life can look dark to us until we recognize Jesus is with us. He is not far away, and He has not forgotten about us. He is the Light that shines in the darkness no matter the trial or situation.
When all seems dark look up to the Lord! Psalm 121: 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth![4]
To hear more about the encounter Mary had with the resurrected Jesus, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-mary
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.